Organic lighting device and lighting equipment

ABSTRACT

An organic luminous means and an illumination device comprising such a luminous means are specified. An optical display apparatus, emergency lighting, motor vehicle interior lighting, an item of furniture, a construction material, a glazing and a display comprising such a luminous means and, respectively, comprising an illumination device having such a luminous means are furthermore specified.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/443,672 which was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office onJan. 11, 2010 as a U.S. national stage under 35 USC §371 of PCTapplication No. PCT/DE2007/001744, filed on Sep. 26, 2007. PCTapplication No. PCT/DE2007/001744 claims priority of German PatentApplication Nos. 10 2006 046 293.9 filed Sep. 26, 2006, 10 2006 046198.3 filed Sep. 26, 2006, 10 2006 054 584.2 filed Nov. 20, 2006 and 102006 060781.3 filed Dec. 21, 2006, the entire contents of all are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to an organic luminous means and anillumination device comprising such a luminous means. The presentapplication furthermore relates to an optical display apparatus,emergency lighting, motor vehicle interior lighting, an item offurniture, a construction material, a glazing and a display comprisingsuch a luminous means and, respectively, comprising an illuminationdevice having such a luminous means.

2. Description of the Related Art

The documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,554,443 and 6,626,554 describe a luminousmeans which has semiconductor-based light-emitting diodes as lightsources.

However, semiconductor-based light-emitting diodes are generallyrelatively expensive. In particular, the costs for a semiconductor-basedlight-emitting diode rise with the luminous area thereof. Therefore,large-area semiconductor-based light-emitting diodes are particularlyexpensive and are produced only rarely, on account of their lowprofitability. Furthermore, semiconductor-based light-emitting diodesare generally embodied neither as flexible nor as transmissive tovisible light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify acost-effective luminous means.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify aluminous means which is transmissive to visible light.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify aluminous means which is suitable for representing information, forexample in public spaces.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify aluminous means which can be used as glazing for example in public spacesor in items of furniture and can furthermore serve as illumination.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify aluminous means which can serve as a mirror and/or as an illuminationsource.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify aluminous means which is suitable for representing information, forexample in motor vehicles.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify aluminous means which can be used in a decorative element.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify aluminous means for a search mirror.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify aflexible luminous means.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify anillumination device comprising luminous means.

A further object of the present invention, inter alia, is to specify anillumination device comprising a luminous means and whose light cancause a variable color impression.

At least one object of specific embodiments of the present invention,inter alia, is to specify storage furniture comprising a storage elementhaving a luminous means. By way of example, illumination of a region ofthe storage furniture and the surroundings thereof can be made possiblethereby.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, aluminous means comprises, in particular:

-   -   a substrate having a first main surface, to which a first        electrode is applied,    -   a second electrode, and    -   an organic layer stack within an active region of the substrate        between the first and the second electrode, wherein the organic        layer stack comprises at least one organic layer which is        suitable for generating light.

The organic layers of the organic layer stack can comprise low molecularweight materials (small molecules) or polymeric materials. Low molecularweight materials are generally applied by vacuum processes, such asevaporation, for example, while polymeric materials can be applied bysolvent-based processes such as blade coating, spin-coating or printingmethods.

One of the electrodes generally serves as an anode which injects holesinto the organic layer stack, while the other electrode serves as acathode which impresses electrons into the organic layer stack. Theanode preferably comprises a material having a high work function forelectrons, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), for example.

The cathode, by contrast, preferably comprises a material having a lowwork function for electrons, such as alkali or alkaline earth metals,for example. Since such materials are generally very sensitive toatmospheric gases—such as oxygen and moisture for example—the cathodecan comprise, alongside a layer of such a material having a low workfunction, one or a plurality of further layers which are significantlyless sensitive to ambient influences, such as silver, aluminum orplatinum layers, for example. The further layers encapsulate the layerhaving the low work function for electrons.

The organic layer stack can comprise, alongside the at least one layerwhich is suitable for generating light, further organic layers, such as,for example, a hole injecting layer, a hole conducting layer, anelectron injecting layer and an electron conducting layer.

In this case, the hole conducting layer and the hole injecting layer arepreferably situated on the side of the organic layer stack facing theanode, while the electron conducting layer and the electron injectinglayer are preferably situated on that side of the organic layer stackwhich faces the cathode. In this case, the organic layer suitable forgenerating light is preferably arranged between the hole conductinglayer and the hole injecting layer, on the one hand, and the electronconducting layer and the electron injecting layer, on the other hand. Ingeneral, the organic materials are embodied in light-transmissivefashion, in particular to a light emitted by the organic layer stack.

By way of example, the hole injecting layer contains or consists of atleast one of the following materials:

-   -   Pedot: PSS    -   F4TCNQ (tetrafluorotetracyano-quinodimethane), p-doped,    -   NHT-5 with NDP-2.        By way of example, the hole conducting layer contains or        consists of at least one of the following materials:    -   aNPD=aNPB=4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]biphenyl    -   1-TNATA=4,4′,4″-tris(N-naphth-1-yl)-N-phenyl-amino)triphenylamine    -   MTDATA=4,4′,4″-tris(N-3-methylphenyl-N-phenyl-amino)triphenylamine    -   TPD=N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-(3-methylphenyl)-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine    -   spTAD=2,2′,7,7′-diphenylamino-spiro-9,9′-bifluorene.        By way of example, the electron conducting layer contains or        consists of at least one of the following materials:    -   Alq3=tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum    -   BAIq=bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinolate)-4-(phenylphenolato)aluminum    -   TPBi=1,3,5-tris(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-benzene.        By way of example, the electron injecting layer contains or        consists of at least one of the following materials:    -   LiF, NaF    -   Cs2CO3    -   Ba    -   NET-5 with NDN-1.

The luminous means generally has two main surfaces lying opposite oneanother. That main surface of the luminous means which is remote fromthe substrate is referred to hereinafter as the “top side” of theluminous means, while the main surface lying opposite the top side ofthe luminous means is called the “underside” of the luminous means.

The luminous means emits a light generated in the organic layer stackeither through its underside or through its top side or throughunderside and top side. In any event the elements of the luminous meansthrough which the light generated in the organic layer stack passes onthe way to the respective light-emitting side—top side or underside—ofthe luminous means must be transmissive to the light generated by theorganic layer stack. If it is provided that the light generated in theorganic layer stack is emitted from the underside and top side of theluminous means, then in general all the elements of the luminous means,in particular the electrodes, and also an encapsulation and thesubstrate must be transmissive to the light generated by the organiclayer stack. In the present case, an element is also referred to as“light-transmissive” if it is embodied as transmissive at least to thelight generated by the organic layer stack.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thefirst electrode is transmissive to a light emitted by the organic layerstack during operation.

If only the first electrode is transmissive to a light generated by theorganic layer stack during operation, whereas the second electrode isnot transmissive, then it is generally provided that the light isemitted through the underside of the luminous means. Preferably,therefore, in this case at least the substrate is likewise embodied astransmissive to the light generated by the organic layer stack.

Examples of a suitable material for a substrate which is embodied astransmissive to the light emitted by the organic layer stack includeglass or plastics such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN),polycarbonate (PC), polyimide (PI), polysulfone (PSO), polyphenyleneether sulfone (PES), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA),polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PUR), and also rubbers.

Furthermore, a laminate composed of a glass and at least one of theplastics listed above is suitable as a substrate which is embodied astransmissive to the light emitted by the organic layer stack.

In accordance with at least one further embodiment of the luminousmeans, the second electrode is transmissive to a light emitted by theorganic layer stack during operation. If only the second electrode istransmissive to a light generated by the organic layer stack duringoperation, whereas the first electrode is not transmissive, then it isgenerally provided that the light is emitted through the top side of theluminous means. Preferably, therefore, in this case, the elementsbetween second electrode and top side—for example an encapsulation—arelikewise embodied as transmissive to the light generated by the organiclayer stack.

In accordance with at least one particularly preferred embodiment of theluminous means, both electrodes are embodied as transmissive to thelight generated by the layer stack. In this embodiment, the luminousmeans is generally provided for being embodied as transmissive to thelight emitted by the organic layer stack. As already mentioned above, inthis case the further elements of the luminous means through which thelight passes on the way to the top side and respectively underside ofthe luminous means, in particular the substrate and an encapsulation,are likewise embodied as transmissive to the light emitted by theorganic layer stack.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, at least one of theelectrodes comprises a transparent conductive oxide, a metal or aconductive organic material or consists thereof.

Transparent conductive oxides (TCO, for short) are conductive materials,generally metal oxides, such as, for example, zinc oxide, tin oxide,cadmium oxide, titanium oxide, indium oxide or indium tin oxide (ITO),which are transmissive to visible light. They are therefore particularlysuitable for being used for electrodes which are embodied astransmissive to the light emitted by the organic layer stack. ITO, forexample, is suitable as an anode material. Alongside binary metal-oxygencompounds such as, for example, ZnO, SnO₂ or In₂O₃, ternary metal-oxygencompounds such as, for example, ZnO:Al (ZAO), Zn₂SnO₄, CdSnO₃, ZnSnO₃,MgIn₂O₄, GaInO₃, Zn₂In₂O₅ or In₄Sn₃O₁₂ or mixtures of differenttransparent conductive oxides also belong to the group of TCOs.Furthermore, the TCOs do not necessarily correspond to a stoichiometriccomposition and can also be γ- or n-doped.

Alkali or alkaline earth metals, for example, can be used as metal forthe cathode. The TCO materials specified above are furthermore alsosuitable for forming the cathode.

The electrode can for example comprise a metallic layer or consist ofsuch a layer. If the electrode which comprises the metallic layer orconsists of such a layer is intended to be embodied as transmissive tothe light emitted by the organic layer stack, then the metallic layermust be made sufficiently thin. The thickness of such a semitransparentmetallic layer preferably lies between 1 nm and 100 nm, inclusive of thelimits.

A suitable organic conductive material for an electrode is PEDOT:PSS,for example, which is particularly well suited to the anode. Furthersuitable organic conductive materials are polythiophenes or pentacene,inter alia.

Organic materials are generally transmissive to visible light.Therefore, an electrode which comprises organic conductive material orconsists of such material is also generally transmissive to the lightemitted by the organic layer stack.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, atleast one of the electrodes has electrically conductive tracks. Theelectrically conductive tracks preferably comprise a metal or consist ofsuch a metal. Particularly preferably, the electrical tracks are maderelatively thick, for example in comparison with a semitransparentmetallic layer described above. Preferably, the thickness of themetallic tracks is at most 1.5 μm. Such thick electrically conductivetracks generally have a good electrical conductivity, such that they areparticularly well suited to impressing charge carriers into the organiclayer stack. Furthermore, the metallic tracks are preferably embodied insuch a way that they fill only a small part of the area of the electrodethat comprises them. By way of example, the electrically conductivetracks are embodied as a grid which is transmissive to the light emittedby the organic layer stack. In this way, with the aid of theelectrically conductive tracks, it is possible to provide an electrodewhich is transmissive to the light emitted by the organic layer stackand which furthermore advantageously permits good charge carrierimpression into the organic layer stack.

Preferably, the proportion of the total electrode area made up by themetallic tracks is at most 25%, preferably at most 10%, particularlypreferably at most 5%. The metallic tracks are then no longer or onlyscarcely perceptible to an observer.

Particularly preferably, the electrically conductive tracks have amultilayer construction. Such a multilayer construction can have aplurality of metallic layers, for example. Preferably, the multilayerconstruction comprises or consists of three metallic layers, of whichthe two outer layers serve as protective layers for the middle layer,for example against corrosion. The middle layer of the multilayerconstruction can for example comprise aluminum or consist of aluminum,or the two outer layers can comprise chromium, molybdenum, copper orsilver or can consist of one of these materials.

In this case, the multilayer construction has a thickness of preferablyat least 50 nm and at most 100 nm.

In this case, the materials mentioned are particularly well suited torather poorly conductive electrodes. For example for electrodes whichcontain a TCO or consist thereof. In principle, the materials aresuitable for anode and cathode.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theorganic layer stack comprises a doped organic layer comprising a dopant,which layer is arranged between the at least one organic layer suitablefor generating light and one of the electrodes. Particularly preferably,the doped organic layer forms an outermost layer of the organic layerstack, which layer particularly preferably forms a common interface withthe respectively facing electrode. The doped organic layer can be ann-doped layer or a p-doped layer. If the doped layer is arranged in sucha way that it faces the cathode or joins the cathode, an n-doped layeris generally involved. By contrast, if the doped layer is arranged insuch a way that it faces the anode or adjoins the latter, then a p-dopedlayer is generally involved.

Preferably, the dopant of the doped layer involves the largest possibleatoms or molecules which, in the case of an n-type dopant, are suitablefor releasing electrons and, in the case of a p-type dopant, aresuitable for releasing holes. Furthermore, the dopant preferably has alow diffusion constant within the organic layer stack, as is generallythe case for example for large atoms or molecules.

The doping firstly advantageously increases the conductivity of thedoped organic layer and, in the case of an n-doped layer adjoining thecathode, leads to a better injection of electrons from the cathode intothe organic layer stack or, in the case of a p-doped layer adjoining theanode, leads to a better injection of holes from the anode into theorganic layer stack. Cesium, barium and lithium fluoride are preferablyused as n-type dopants. The following materials are suitable as p-typedopant, for example: F4TCNQ, HIL from Mitsubishi (MCC-PC1.020).

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theactive region is arranged within an encapsulation. Since the organicmaterials of the organic layer stack and often also electrode materials,in particular materials of the electron injecting cathode, are reactivetoward atmospheric gases, such as moisture and oxygen for example, it isgenerally particularly important, for the lifetime of the luminousmeans, to be closed off well from oxygen and moisture and otheratmospheric gases, generally with the aid of an encapsulation. Inparticular the active region comprising the organic layer stack and theelectrodes generally has to be protected here.

The encapsulation used can be a cap, for example, which has a cavity inthe region of the active layer stack and which is mounted on thesubstrate, for example by adhesive bonding, within a fixing region ofthe substrate surrounding the active region. The cavity of the cappreferably forms a void above the active region in which the organiclayer stack and the two electrodes are arranged. Furthermore, the cap ispreferably not in direct contact by the underside of its cavity with thesecond electrode on the organic layer stack.

Furthermore, the encapsulation used can also be a plate which isconnected to the substrate, for example by adhesive bonding, within afixing region of said substrate surrounding the active region. Such aplate can be arranged in direct contract with the second electrode. Byway of example, the plate can be fixed by means of an adhesive layer onthe second electrode.

In order to produce a spacing between the cap or the plate in such a waythat the cap or the plate is not in direct contact with the secondelectrode, the active region in accordance with one embodiment comprisesspacers. The spacers can be for example spherical particles arranged onthe organic layer stack or the second electrode.

Furthermore, the encapsulation used can also be a film. The film can beconnected to the substrate, for example by adhesive bonding, within afixing region of said substrate surrounding the active region. Such afilm can be arranged in direct contact with the second electrode. By wayof example, the film can be fixed by means of an adhesive layer on thesecond electrode.

In order to produce a spacing between the film and the second electrodeor the organic layer stack in such a way that the film is not in directcontact with the second electrode, the active region in accordance withone embodiment comprises spacers. The spacers can be for examplespherical particles arranged on the organic layer stack or the secondelectrode.

The film is formed for example from a transparent plastic or a glass.Preferably, the film has a thickness of at most 1 mm, particularlypreferably of at most 0.5 mm.

Furthermore, the encapsulation used can also be a laminate comprising atleast one layer composed of a glass to which at least one layer composedof a plastic is applied. Preferably, the glass layer is covered by arespective plastic layer at its two main surfaces. The laminate is thena plastic-glass-plastic laminate.

The laminate can be connected to the substrate, for example by adhesivebonding, within a fixing region of said substrate surrounding the activeregion. Such a laminate can be arranged in direct contact with thesecond electrode. By way of example, the laminate can be fixed by meansof an adhesive layer on the second electrode.

In order to produce a spacing between the laminate and the secondelectrode or the organic layer stack in such a way that the laminate isnot in direct contact with the second electrode, the active region inaccordance with one embodiment comprises spacers. The spacers can be forexample spherical particles arranged on the organic layer stack or thesecond electrode.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the encapsulation is formedby a thin-film encapsulation. The thin-film encapsulation has at leastone barrier layer. The barrier layer is provided for protecting theorganic layer stack and also sensitive electrode materials against thepenetration of harmful substances, such as moisture and oxygen forexample.

A thin-film encapsulation furthermore comprises at least one thin-filmlayer, such as the barrier layer, for example, which is applied by meansof a thin-film method such as sputtering, evaporation, and plasmaenhanced CVD (short for “chemical vapor deposition”), ALD (short for“atomic layer deposition”), MOVPE (short for “metal organic vapor phaseepitaxy”), flash evaporation and/or laser ablation. Such thin-filmlayers preferably have a thickness of between 0.5 and 5 μm, inclusive ofthe limits.

A thin-film encapsulation can be applied for example directly to thesecond electrode. A thin-film encapsulation generally affords theadvantage of being able to be made particularly thin and space-saving incomparison with a cap or a plate.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the barrier layer containsone of the following materials or consists thereof: silicon oxide,silicon nitride. These materials are particularly suitable for forming abarrier with respect to external influences, such as the penetration ofoxygen and moisture for example.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the thin-film encapsulationcomprises a plurality of alternating barrier layers, wherein at leasttwo barrier layers which are different with regard to their materialcomposition are arranged in regular succession. In other words, thethin-film encapsulation in this embodiment comprises first and secondbarrier layers, wherein the material composition of the first barrierlayers is different from the material composition of the second barrierlayers. The first barrier layers can for example comprise silicon oxideor consist of this material, and the second barrier layers can forexample comprise silicon nitride or consist of this material. The firstand the second barrier layers are furthermore arranged in alternatingfashion with regard to their material composition.

Such an alternating layer sequence of barrier layers within thethin-film encapsulation affords the advantage that the thin-filmencapsulation is made particularly tight. This can generally beattributed to the fact that pinholes—that is to say small holes—whichcan arise in the respective barrier layer during the application thereofcan be covered by the overlaying barrier layer or can even be filled bythe material thereof. Furthermore, the probability of a pinhole from onebarrier layer producing a continuous connection with a pinhole from theadjacent barrier layer is extremely low. This applies in particular tobarrier layers which are arranged in alternating fashion with regard totheir material composition.

Particularly preferably, one of the alternating barrier layers comprisessilicon oxide and the other alternating barrier layer comprises siliconnitride.

In accordance with at least one further embodiment, the thin-filmencapsulation comprises at least one polymer interlayer arranged betweentwo barrier layers.

By way of example, multicomponent resin systems are suitable for thepolymer interlayer, said systems being vapor-deposited as monomers anddepositing in liquid form. A high planarity of the polymer interlayer isthereby achieved. The deposited layer is subsequently crosslinked bymeans of UV radiation. The task of the polymer interlayer is theplanarization in the thin-film encapsulation in order to preventpinholes from lying one above another in the inorganic alternatingbarrier layers. The water and oxygen permeability of the thin-filmencapsulation is thereby reduced.

The thickness of the polymer interlayer can preferably lie between 50and 100 nm, inclusive of the limits. Particularly preferably, thepolymer interlayer is light-transmissive if a top emitter is present ortransparency of the luminous means is required.

Particularly preferably, the thin-film encapsulation comprises aprotective lacquer layer as the outermost layer. The protective lacquerlayer can be applied to the thin-film encapsulation for example by meansof a spraying method with mask process.

As an alternative, as a protective lacquer layer, for example, an epoxyresin film can be adhesively bonded onto the thin-film encapsulation. Inthis case, the protective lacquer layer in particular also contributesto the watertightness. A thin glass can be laminated onto the epoxyresin film and improves the watertightness further.

In accordance with a further embodiment, an adhesion promoting layer isarranged between the thin-film encapsulation and the second electrode,said adhesion promoting layer preferably likewise being a thin-filmlayer. The adhesion promoting layer has the task of improving theadhesion of the thin-film encapsulation on the second electrode or someother layer applied on the second electrode, if appropriate. For thispurpose, the adhesion promoting layer comprises for example sulfurand/or nitrogen atoms or sulfur and/or nitrogen compounds. It isfurthermore possible for the adhesion promoting layer to containaluminum oxide or to consist of aluminum oxide, for example.

In accordance with at least one further embodiment, an organicplanarization layer is arranged between the second electrode and thethin-film encapsulation.

By way of example, multicomponent resin systems are suitable for theorganic planarization layer, said systems being vapor-deposited asmonomers and deposited in liquid form. A high planarity of the organicplanarization layer is thereby achieved. The deposited layer issubsequently crosslinked by means of UV radiation. The task of theorganic planarization layer is the planarization in the thin-filmencapsulation in order to prevent pinholes from lying one above anotherin the inorganic alternating barrier layers. The water and oxygenpermeability of the thin-film encapsulation is thereby reduced. Thethickness of the organic planarization layer can preferably lie between50 and 100 nm, inclusive of the limits.

If an adhesion promoting layer is arranged between the second electrodeand the thin-film encapsulation, then the organic planarization layer ispreferably arranged between the adhesion promoting layer and the secondelectrode, wherein the adhesion promoting layer is intended to improvethe adhesion between the planarization layer and the thin-filmencapsulation.

The organic planarization layer can have scattering centers, forexample, such as diffuser particles, for example silica balls. Apartfrom silica balls, other light-transmissive materials having a differentrefractive index than the surrounding matrix are also suitable, such asglass balls, for example.

The diffuser particles are provided for scattering light; by way ofexample, lateral structures of the OLED layer construction—which canoccur for example on account of the electrode design—are intended to beblurred in order that a homogeneous impression arises for the observer.Furthermore, the emission characteristic can be influenced by the lightscattering.

The diffuser particles preferably have a diameter of at least 0.5 to atmost 5 μm. The surrounding layers are preferably correspondingly adaptedin terms of their thickness, such that the diffuser particles areembedded into the layers.

If the intention is to provide a luminous means which is substantiallytransmissive to the light emitted by the organic layer stack duringoperation or a luminous means which emits light from its top side, thenthe encapsulation is preferably likewise embodied as transmissive to thelight emitted by the luminous means during operation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the encapsulation comprisesglass or consists of glass. Such an encapsulation is generallytransmissive to the light emitted by the organic layer stack. Inparticular, it is possible to use a glass cap or a glass plate asencapsulation which is transmissive to the light generated by theorganic layer stack.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the organic planarizationlayer contains a luminescence conversion material.

The luminescence conversion material converts for example blue lightpartly into yellow light, whereby a white mixed light then arises whichis emitted by the luminous means. An embedding of the luminescenceconversion material into the planarization layer or other functionallayers such as the encapsulation or the substrate proves to beparticularly advantageous since process steps during production canthereby be saved. Production is particularly cost-effective as a result.

Luminescence conversion materials are materials which absorb incidentlight from a first wavelength range and emit light from a secondwavelength range, which is different from the first wavelength range andwhich generally comprises longer wavelengths than the first wavelengthrange.

Organic materials such as perylene phosphors, for example, can be usedas luminescence conversion materials. Further organic materials whichcan for example be used for dye lasers in a corresponding wavelengthrange are suitable as luminescence conversion materials.

Luminescence conversion materials whose molecules contain an aromaticsystem and preferably conjugate double bonds are furthermore suitable.The skeleton of these luminescence conversion materials is formed forexample from chromene, xanthene, coumarin, thioindole, and/or benzene.

In particular, the following materials are suitable, for example:Rhodamine 6G,DCM=4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(p-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran.

In particular, molecules are desired here which have an abnormal Stokesshift which brings about a reduced or no overlap of the ranges of theluminescence and the exciting radiation. So-called triplet emitters arefurthermore suitable since no overlap between exciting radiation andluminescence occurs here. A further positive effect in the case oftriplet emitters is that absorption losses are avoided; rhodamine B, forexample, is particularly suitable here.

Furthermore, the following inorganic materials are also suitable forbeing used as luminescence conversion materials: garnets doped with rareearth metals, alkaline earth metal sulfides doped with rare earthmetals, thiogallates doped with rare earth metals, aluminates doped withrare earth metals, orthosilicates doped with rare earth metals,chlorosilicates doped with rare earth metals, alkaline earth metalsilicon nitrides doped with rare earth metals, oxynitrides doped withrare earth metals, and aluminum oxynitrides doped with rare earthmetals.

In accordance with at least one further embodiment, the luminous meanscomprises a getter material. The getter material is advantageouslysuitable for binding moisture and/or oxygen. By way of example, BaO,CaO, zeolite, Al-alkoxy compounds and barium can serve as gettermaterials.

The getter material can be arranged within the active region, forexample. Furthermore, the getter material can alternatively also bearranged outside the active region. The getter material can for exampleenclose the active region and be arranged approximately in ring-shapedfashion around the active region between the substrate and theencapsulation. In this way the penetration of harmful substances,through the getter material, can be avoided particularly effectively.

Furthermore, when using a cap or a plate for encapsulation, a gettermaterial can also be applied on that side of the cap or plate whichfaces the active layer stack. If the intention is to produce a luminousmeans which is substantially transmissive to the light generated by theorganic layer stack, then in this case the getter material is alsopreferably transmissive to the light generated by the organic layerstack. For this purpose, Al-alkoxy compounds, for example, are suitableas getter material.

If the luminous means comprises an encapsulation which prevents thepenetration of harmful substances into the luminous means particularlywell, as is the case for example with a thin-film encapsulation, thenthe luminous means is preferably free of any getter material.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means comprisesan electrical lead on the substrate which electrically conductivelyconnects one of the electrodes and a connection location preferablylying outside the active region. Preferably, electrical contact is madewith the luminous means via the connection location, for example withthe aid of a plug.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the electrical lead isembodied as transmissive to the light emitted by the layer stack. Such alead is suitable in particular for being used in a luminous means whichis embodied as completely transmissive to the light emitted by the layerstack.

The electrical lead can for example contain a metal or consist thereof.If the electrical lead is intended to be embodied as transmissive to thelight emitted by the layer stack, then the metal in this case is appliedin a manner so thin that a semitransparent metal layer arises which istransmissive to light from the organic layer stack.

Furthermore, the electrical lead of the luminous means can also containa transparent conductive oxide or consist thereof. Since transparentconductive oxides are transmissive to visible light, such an electricallead is generally likewise transmissive to the light emitted by thelayer stack and preferably to external visible light.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means isembodied as substantially transmissive to the light generated by theorganic layer stack. In this case, the luminous means is provided foremitting the light generated by the organic layer stack from its topside and from its underside. Furthermore, the luminous means in thiscase is preferably embodied in such a way that it is readilytransmissive to visible external light in the switched-off state andcomprises no elements which absorb or reflect large portions of visiblelight. In this case, the luminous means is only scantily perceptible toan observer in the switched-off state. That is to say that the luminousmeans is then preferably embodied such that it is clearly transparentand not diffusely scattering.

If the luminous means is transmissive to the light emitted by theorganic layer stack, then the elements of the luminous means such as theorganic layer stack, the electrodes, the substrate, the encapsulation,if appropriate the getter material and the leads are likewisetransmissive to the light generated by the organic layer stack,particularly preferably transmissive to visible light.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, awindow glazing serves as the substrate. This can be advantageousparticularly when the luminous means is embodied as transmissive to thelight generated by the organic layer stack.

A luminous means which is embodied as transmissive to the lightgenerated by the organic layer stack can be integrated in a window, aceiling element, a windshield, a door, a room divider, a glass block, awall or a partition and can be used for example in buildings, furniture,motor vehicles or aircraft.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a window glazing serves asencapsulation.

Particularly preferably, substrate and encapsulation are embodied aswindow glazing. In this embodiment, the luminous means, preferablyembodied as transmissive to the light emitted by the organic layerstack, or an illumination device comprising such a luminous means can beintegrated as simply as possible as glazing in a glass pane.

Glass panes comprising a luminous means embodied as transmissive atleast to a light emitted by the organic layer stack or comprising anillumination device comprising such a luminous means can serve forexample for signal representation in doors of hotels, at trade fairs ormuseums. Information can thereby be represented by the luminous meansand can be displayed by the luminous means as required. In this way itis advantageously possible to avoid stickers, for example on doors.Furthermore, a significantly better signal effect is provided by theluminous information of the luminous means than by a sticker.

Furthermore, with the aid of luminous means embodied as transmissive toa light emitted by the organic layer stack, advertising representationssuch as company logos, for example, can easily be integrated in displaywindows or information can be presented in windshields of motor vehiclesor aircraft.

Furthermore, luminous means which are at least partly transmissive tothe light generated by the organic layer stack can be used in ceilingelements for example in museums or conference centers. As a result, withthe luminous means switched off, daylight can penetrate through theceiling element into the respective space, while the ceiling elementwith the luminous means can be used for illumination at night ortwilight.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the substrate is embodied inmilky fashion.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the encapsulation is embodiedin milky fashion.

By way of example, a surface of substrate and/or encapsulation isembodied in rough fashion and/or scattering centers are introduced intothe substrate/encapsulation.

Furthermore, it is possible to apply an additional film/layer comprisingso-called “polymer dispersed liquid crystals” to the substrate and/orthe encapsulation. The milkiness can thus be switched on and offelectrically. When a voltage is applied, said layer is clear, and itbecomes milky when turned off.

A milky embodiment of substrate and/or encapsulation, for example asmilky window glazing, can be advantageous particularly in theabove-mentioned applications if, for design reasons or functionalreasons, it is not necessary for the respective window to afford a clearview through it.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means comprisesat least one reflective element. The reflective element is preferablyformed along one of the main planes of the luminous means. Particularlypreferably, the reflective element is formed completely along the mainplane of the luminous means. The reflective element can be arranged onthe underside of the luminous means, for example on that side of thesubstrate which faces away from the organic layer stack, or on the topside of the luminous means, for example on that side of theencapsulation which faces away from the organic layer stack.Furthermore, the reflective element can be arranged for example betweenthe first electrode and the substrate or between the second electrodeand the encapsulation. As a result of the arrangement of a reflectiveelement within the luminous means, in general one of the main surfacesis cut off from the light generated in the organic layer stack, that isto say that the light generated in the organic layer stack is emittedonly from one of the main surfaces, that is to say from underside or topside. This main surface is also called “light-emitting front side”hereinafter. It should be pointed out at this juncture that theexpression “light-emitting front side” does not necessarily mean thatthe entire main surface from which the light generated in the organiclayer stack is emitted is embodied in light-emitting fashion. Rather, itis also possible for only a part of the surface of the front side to belight-emitting. In the present case, that surface of the light-emittingfront side, of the underside and of the top side which is luminous isalso referred to as “luminous surface”.

The remaining elements of the luminous means, but at least the elementsof the luminous means through which the light generated in the organiclayer stack passes on the way to the light-emitting front side, arepreferably embodied as transmissive to the light generated in theorganic layer stack. Particularly preferably, these elements aregenerally embodied as transmissive to visible light.

If a luminous means in which those elements through which the lightgenerated by the organic layer stack passes on the way to thelight-emitting front side are embodied in light-transmissive fashioncomprises at least one reflective element, then the luminous means canadvantageously serve as an illumination source in the switched-on stateand as a mirror in the switched-off state on account of the reflectiveelement in combination with the remaining elements of the luminous meanswhich are transmissive to visible light. In the case of this luminousmeans it is thus advantageously possible to change over between mirrorfunction and illumination function.

In the present case, a luminous means which comprises a reflectiveelement is also called “reflective luminous means”.

In this case, the luminous means can have an additional reflectiveelement or one of the elements of the luminous means such as, forexample, substrate, electrodes or encapsulation can be embodied as areflective element.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means comprisesa reflective layer sequence as reflective element.

The reflective layer sequence can for example comprise a dielectricmirror or consist thereof. Furthermore, it is possible for thereflective layer sequence to comprise a silver layer and a layercomposed of mechanically more resistant copper. Preferably, thereflective layer is then electrically insulated from the functionallayers of the luminous means such as electrodes or the organic layerstack.

The reflective layer sequence can be arranged on the underside of theluminous means, for example on that side of the substrate which facesaway from the organic layer stack, or on the top side of the luminousmeans, for example on that side of the encapsulation which faces awayfrom the organic layer stack. Furthermore, the reflective layer sequencecan be arranged for example between the first electrode and thesubstrate or between the second electrode and the encapsulation.

The reflective layer sequence can for example also form the outermostlayer of one of the electrodes.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means comprisesan antireflective layer sequence. Such an antireflective layer sequenceis preferably applied on one of the outer surfaces, that is to say onthe top side or the underside of the luminous means. If the luminousmeans emits light only from one of the main surfaces, namely from thelight-emitting front side, then the antireflective layer sequence ispreferably applied on the light-emitting front side.

An antireflective layer sequence preferably comprises a dielectricmaterial or consists thereof. By way of example, the layer sequence canin this case comprise at least one layer which comprises a siliconnitride or silicon oxide.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the first or the secondelectrode is embodied in reflective fashion. In this case, thereflective electrode forms the reflective element. Preferably, thereflective electrode comprises silver, aluminum and/or gold or consistsof one of these materials.

Furthermore, the encapsulation can be embodied in reflective fashion andserve as a reflective element. In this case, the luminous means emitsthe light generated in the organic layer stack through the substrate.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the reflective encapsulationcomprises a metal cap or consists thereof. Particularly preferably, themetal cap is polished at its inner side facing the organic layer stack.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the reflectiveencapsulation is formed by a reflective thin-film encapsulationcomprising at least one barrier layer. In this embodiment, the thin-filmencapsulation already described above comprises at least one reflectivelayer. Said reflective layer preferably comprises a metal or consiststhereof. Particularly preferably, the reflective thin-film encapsulationcomprises at least one of the following layers as reflective layer: asilver layer, a copper layer. Particularly preferably, the thin-filmencapsulation comprises a silver layer and a copper layer as reflectivelayer.

Furthermore, the reflective thin-film encapsulation can comprise amirroring layer sequence, such as a Bragg mirror for example, asreflective layer. For this purpose—as described above—the thin-filmencapsulation can comprise alternating layers of different materials,which forms a particularly tight encapsulation and at the same time aBragg mirror or a dielectric mirror.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the luminous means comprises agetter material which is embodied as transmissive to the light emittedby the organic layer stack, preferably furthermore generallytransmissive to visible light.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the getter material which isat least transmissive to the light emitted by the layer stack iscomprised by the reflective encapsulation.

The getter material has the task of binding substances such as oxygenand/or moisture, for example, which can penetrate into the luminousmeans despite the encapsulation.

The getter material is preferably comprised by the encapsulation in sucha way that it faces into the space to be encapsulated, that is to saytoward the organic layer stack. If a metal cap is used as encapsulation,then the getter material is preferably applied, for example in the formof a layer, at the inner side of the metal cap facing the organic layerstack. In order that the metal cap has good reflection properties, agetter material which is transmissive to the light emitted by the layerstack is particularly advantageous.

In order to fix a cap as encapsulation on the substrate, an adhesive isused, for example, which is arranged around the active region. Such anadhesive, but also some other connecting means, can furthermore beadmixed with a getter material. Since the connecting means is often morepermeable to harmful substances, such as moisture and oxygen, than thecap, this affords the advantage that these substances can already bebound by the getter material upon penetrating into the luminous means.

A thin-film encapsulation, in particular comprising the alternatingbarrier layers described above, is generally made tight in such a waythat no getter material has to be used.

In accordance with at least one further embodiment, the substrate isembodied in reflective fashion. In this case, the substrate preferablyforms the reflective element described above. In this case, preferablyall the other elements of the luminous means which are arranged abovethe substrate are embodied as at least transmissive to the light emittedby the organic layer stack. By way of example, a metal film or a metalplate can serve as the reflective substrate.

Luminous means which comprise a reflective element and whose furtherelements through which the light generated in the organic layer stackpasses on the way to the light-emitting front side are embodied astransmissive to visible light can be used as a mirror or as anillumination source, as already mentioned above. In this case, theluminous means can be embodied in such a way that the entire surface ofthe light-emitting front side serves as an illumination source duringthe operation of the luminous means and is used as a mirror in theswitched-off state. Furthermore, it is also possible for the entiresurface of the light-emitting front side of the luminous means to beused simultaneously as mirror and illumination source during operation.Furthermore, the surface of the light-emitting front side can besegmented, such that at least one certain region is provided as a mirrorand at least one other region is provided as an illumination sourceduring operation.

Luminous means having mirror and illumination functions generallycomprise at least one electrode which is embodied as transmissive to thelight generated by the organic layer stack and through which said lightpasses on the way to the light-emitting front side.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, this light-transmissiveelectrode is embodied in structured fashion, such that a desired form ofthe luminous surface within the front side of the luminous means ispredetermined. The form of the luminous surface can be embodied forexample in accordance with a logo or a symbol, such that this or otherinformation appears against the background of a mirroring surface duringoperation. In a mirror for motor vehicles, such as a rear-view or sidemirror, for example warnings, such as distance messages when parking,can thus be inserted into the mirror.

Furthermore, a luminous means having mirror and illumination functionscan be comprised by a bath mirror or a wardrobe mirror or be embodied asa bath or wardrobe mirror. The bath or wardrobe mirror can be embodiedfor example in a plurality of parts with a main mirror in the center andtwo lateral mirror wings. The laterally fitted mirror wings can in thiscase be embodied for example as luminous means having mirror andillumination functions and serve as a mirror under good lightconditions. Under poor light conditions, one or both mirror wings canthen be supplementarily switched in as a light source in order toilluminate the observer. Such an illuminated mirror wing canadvantageously also serve as a decorative illumination element.

Furthermore, a luminous means having illumination and mirror functionscan be contained in a search mirror. Such a search mirror is, in thesimplest case, a holding element having an angled mirror element at oneend, such as a dental mirror, for example. In accordance with oneembodiment, the mirror element comprises a luminous means havingillumination and mirror functions. The combination of mirror functionand illumination function in the mirror element of the search mirror inthis case advantageously affords the possibility of being able both tolook at locations that are not very accessible, and to illuminate theseregions. Such search mirrors can for example find application as dentalequipment or be used in the domestic sector for instance for searchingfor lost articles behind or under furniture that is difficult to move.Furthermore, the use of a luminous means having mirror and illuminationfunctions in a search mirror affords the advantage that mirror and lampcan be guided simultaneously by one hand.

A luminous means having mirror and illumination functions canfurthermore be integrated in a mirror of a portable cosmetic set. If noexternal light is available, the illumination of the mirror can beactivated in order to provide better light conditions for the observer.

Furthermore, luminous means having mirror and illumination functions canbe used as decoration elements, such as for example as flashing mirrors.A flashing mirror can be used for example in a flashing Christmas star.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means is embodied in flexible fashion. A luminous meansembodied in flexible fashion is distinguished, inter alia, by the factthat it can be bent to a certain degree without being damaged in theprocess. Preferably, the luminous means embodied in flexible fashion canbe bent repeatedly without being damaged in the process. The luminousmeans is then suitable, therefore, for withstanding a plurality ofbending cycles without being damaged.

Particularly preferably, the luminous means is embodied in flexiblefashion such that it can be wound up onto a roll and be unwound from theroll without being damaged in the process.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theencapsulation of the luminous means is embodied in flexible fashion. Inthis case, flexible means, inter alia, that the encapsulation can bebent to a certain degree without the encapsulation being damaged in thecourse of bending. The flexible encapsulation is for example a thinglass layer, a laminate or a thin layer—for example a film—composed of aplastic or a metal. Furthermore, the flexible encapsulation can be athin-film encapsulation such as has been described further above. Thethin-film encapsulation preferably comprises at least one barrier layersuch as has been described further above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the flexible encapsulationis embodied in light-transmissive fashion, that is to say that theflexible encapsulation is transmissive at least to a part of the lightgenerated in the organic layer stack of the luminous means, such thatthis part of the light can leave the luminous means through the flexibleencapsulation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thesubstrate of the luminous means is flexible. In this case, flexiblemeans, inter alia, that the substrate can be bent to a certain degreewithout the substrate being damaged in the course of bending.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thesubstrate is formed from a metal. The substrate then preferablycomprises at least one of the following materials: aluminum, high-gradesteel, gold, silver. It proves to be particularly advantageous whenusing a metallic substrate as the substrate for the luminous means interalia that the good reflectivity of the metal can contribute to anincrease in the light power of the luminous means. At least a part ofthe light which impinges on the metallic substrate from the activeregion of the luminous means during operation of the luminous means canbe reflected from said substrate in the direction of the light-emittingfront side of the luminous means.

Preferably, the metal is embodied in flexible fashion. For this purpose,the substrate can be embodied as sheet metal. The substrate is thenpreferably embodied as medium sheet metal having a thickness of at least3 mm and at most 4.75 mm or as thin sheet metal having a thickness of atmost 3 mm.

Furthermore, it is possible for the flexible substrate to be embodied asa metal film. The substrate then preferably has a thickness of at most 1mm, particularly preferably at most 0.5 mm.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, boththe substrate and the encapsulation are embodied in flexible fashion.For this purpose, encapsulation and substrate are preferably embodied inaccordance with one of the embodiments described above. By way ofexample, substrate and/or encapsulation can be embodied as film.Furthermore, it is possible for the substrate to be embodied as film andthe encapsulation to be embodied as thin-film encapsulation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises a flexible substrate formed from a metallicmaterial. By way of example, the flexible substrate is embodied as sheetmetal. The first electrode of the luminous means is disposed downstreamof the first main surface of the flexible substrate. In this case, it ispossible for further layers to be arranged between the substrate and thefirst electrode. By way of example, an electrically insulating layer canbe arranged between the substrate and the first electrode, with which atleast the first main surface of the substrate is coated. Theelectrically insulating layer electrically decouples the first electrodefrom the substrate.

In this embodiment, the organic layer stack of the luminous means isdisposed downstream of the first electrode. The organic layer stack isapplied for example directly to the first electrode. The organic layerstack comprises an organic layer provided for generating light.

The second electrode succeeds the organic layer stack. The secondelectrode is applied for example directly to the organic layer stack.The second electrode is preferably embodied in light-transmissivefashion, as described further above.

In this embodiment, a planarization layer—described further above—isdisposed downstream of the second electrode. By way of example, theplanarization layer is arranged directly on the second electrode. Theplanarization layer preferably contains an organic material.Furthermore, the planarization layer can contain one of the followingmaterials: scattering centers such as, for example, diffuser particles,luminescence conversion material, color filter material.

A barrier layer succeeds the planarization layer. Preferably, aplurality of barrier layers succeed the planarization layer. The barrierlayers, as part of a thin-film encapsulation, form the flexibleencapsulation of the luminous means and are applied for example directlyto the planarization layer.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the substrate of theluminous means is embodied as a plastic film. That is to say that thesubstrate has a thickness of preferably at most 1 mm, particularlypreferably at most 0.5 mm, and contains or consists of a plastic.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises a flexible substrate embodied as a film,preferably as a plastic film. In this case, the plastic film can consistof a plastic or contain a plastic. By way of example, it is possible forthe substrate to comprise a metal film as a basic body, which film iscoated with a plastic material.

Particularly preferably, the plastic film consists of alight-transmissive plastic which is transmissive to at least a part ofthe light generated in the organic layer stack of the luminous meansduring operation.

A first electrode is disposed downstream of the first main surface ofthe plastic film. Preferably, the first electrode is applied directly tothe first main surface of the substrate—that is to say the film. In thiscase, the first electrode is preferably embodied in light-transmissivefashion, as described further above.

The organic layer stack of the luminous means is disposed downstream ofthe first electrode. By way of example, the organic layer stack isapplied directly to the first electrode. The organic layer stackcomprises an outermost organic layer. The outermost organic layer isdoped with a dopant. Preferably, the dopant of the doped layer—asdescribed further above—involves the largest possible atoms or moleculeswhich, in the case of an n-type dopant, are suitable for releasingelectrons and, in the case of a p-type dopant, are suitable forreleasing holes. Furthermore, the dopant preferably has a low diffusionconstant within the organic layer stack, as is generally the case forexample for large atoms or molecules. In this case, cesium, inter alia,is a particularly suitable dopant.

The second electrode is disposed downstream of the organic layer stack.The second electrode is preferably applied directly to the organic layerstack. In this case, the second electrode is embodied inlight-transmissive fashion—as described further above. In thisembodiment, the luminous means is preferably free of any gettermaterial.

In accordance with one embodiment of the luminous means, the lattercomprises a flexible encapsulation. Preferably, the flexibleencapsulation is light-transmissive, that is to say that it istransmissive at least to a part of the light generated in the activeregion during the operation of the luminous means.

In this case, the luminous means makes use of the idea, inter alia, thata flexible luminous means comprising a light-transmissive substrate,light-transmissive first electrode, light-transmissive second electrodeand light-transmissive encapsulation can be used particularly diversely.By way of example, a luminous means embodied in this way can be used asa light-transmissive enclosure of other luminous means—for instance as alampshade for an incandescent lamp. The light generated by theincandescent lamp can largely penetrate through the flexible,light-transmissive luminous means. By means of the luminous means, lightof a different color can be admixed with the light from the incandescentlamp.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thesubstrate is embodied as a laminate. Preferably, the substrate isembodied in flexible fashion in this case. The laminate preferablycomprises at least a first layer and at least a second layer.Particularly preferably, in this case the material from which the firstlayer is formed differs from the material from which the second layer isformed.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thesubstrate of the luminous means is formed as a laminate comprising afirst layer consisting of a plastic. A second layer consisting of aglass is applied to the first layer. Preferably, a third layerconsisting of a plastic is applied directly to the second layer.Particularly preferably, the third layer consists of the same plastic asthe first layer. That is to say that the substrate is embodied as aplastic-glass-plastic laminate in accordance with this embodiment.

Preferably, the laminate is embodied in flexible fashion. For thispurpose, the plastic layers are embodied as film or thin coating of theglass basic body. The glass basic body is formed by a thin, flexibleglass pane.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means has a flexible plastic-glass-plastic laminate assubstrate. A first electrode succeeds the substrate. In this case, thefirst electrode is applied directly to the first main surface of thesubstrate.

The organic layer stack of the luminous means is disposed downstream ofthe first electrode. The organic layer stack is applied for exampledirectly to the first electrode. The organic layer stack comprises anorganic layer provided for generating light.

The second electrode succeeds the organic layer stack. The secondelectrode is applied for example directly to the organic layer stack.The second electrode is preferably embodied in light-transmissivefashion, as described further above.

A planarization layer—described further above—is disposed downstream ofthe second electrode. By way of example, the planarization layer isarranged directly on the second electrode. The planarization layerpreferably contains an organic material. Furthermore, the planarizationlayer can contain one of the following materials: scattering centerssuch as, for example, diffuser particles, luminescence conversionmaterial, color filter material.

A barrier layer succeeds the planarization layer. Preferably, aplurality of barrier layers succeed the planarization layer. The barrierlayers, as part of a thin-film encapsulation, form the flexibleencapsulation of the luminous means and are applied for example directlyto the planarization layer.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thesubstrate is formed by the slat of a louver. That is to say that theslat of a louver serves as substrate for the luminous means. Preferably,all the slats of the louver then serve as a substrate for a respectiveluminous means. The louver is fitted for example to a window or a doorin such a way that the first main surfaces of the substrates formed bythe slats of the louver are directed into the interior of the roomhaving the window or the door. The louver can then be used, in the caseof a closed louver, for example, for illuminating the interior with alight—preferably similar to sunlight.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, anadhesive layer is applied to the second main surface of the substrateremote from the first main surface of the substrate of the luminousmeans. The adhesive layer is preferably covered by a protective filmprior to the fixing of the luminous means at its intended location. Theluminous means can be permanently fixed at its intended location afterthe stripping of the protective film in the sense of a transfer oradhesive image. In this case, the adhesion is promoted by the adhesivelayer on the second main surface of the substrate. In particular, aluminous means configured in flexible fashion—such as has been describedfurther above for example—is suitable in this case since, in this way,the luminous means can be stuck even on uneven surfaces, for examplerounded or curved surfaces.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises at least one first color subregion. The firstcolor subregion is suitable for emitting light of a first color.Furthermore, the luminous means comprises at least one second colorsubregion. The second color subregion is suitable for emitting light ofa second color, which is different from the first color. That is to saythat the luminous means comprises at least two color subregions whichare in each case suitable for emitting light of mutually differentcolors.

A luminous means comprising at least two color subregions is also called“multicolored” in the present case. The color subregions of amulticolored luminous means can be arranged as desired with respect toone another, for example alongside one another or vertically one aboveanother.

In this case, it is furthermore possible for the luminous means tocomprise a plurality of first color subregions. The first colorsubregions are in each case suitable for emitting light of the firstcolor. The luminous means can then furthermore comprise a plurality ofsecond color subregions which are in each case suitable for emittinglight of the second color.

In this case, the luminous means is based on the idea, inter alia, ofmaking possible, by means of the division into at least two colorsubregions, a luminous means which can emit light of at least twodifferent colors.

It is also possible, moreover, for the luminous means to be suitable foremitting mixed light of the two different colors. This means that anobserver perceives mixed-colored light and the individual colorsubregions cannot be differentiated. This can be achieved for example bythe dimensions of color subregions arranged laterally alongside oneanother being chosen to be sufficiently small, or by the colorsubregions being arranged vertically one above another. In this case,the first and the second color subregions of the organic layer stack canemit light simultaneously or sequentially in short succession.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecolor subregions are arranged in a common plane. That is to say that thecolor subregions are arranged laterally alongside one another orlaterally at a distance from one another. The color subregions can bearranged for example in the manner of pixels of a display apparatus. Incomparison with pixels of a display apparatus, however, the colorsubregions have a larger luminous surface area. Preferably, the luminoussurface area of each color subregion of the luminous means is at leastone square millimeter.

If the color subregions are arranged in a common plane, a colorsubregion is formed for example by dividing the active region of thesubstrate into different subregions, wherein each subregion of thesubstrate is assigned to a color subregion. A first electrode is appliedto the subregions, the organic layer stack being situated on said firstelectrode. Furthermore, the second electrode is applied to the organiclayer stack. At least one of the electrodes can be structured in thiscase, preferably in a manner corresponding to the subregions. In thiscase, a structuring of at least one electrode can enable the individualcolor subregions to be driven separately.

Furthermore, the organic layer stack can be structured in a mannercorresponding to the subregions, preferably in such a way that eachsubregion of the substrate comprises a separate organic layer stack.

In accordance with one embodiment of the luminous means, in this casethe organic layer stacks of different color subregions comprise in eachcase mutually different light-generating layers which differ with regardto their emitter material and which are suitable for generating light ofdifferent colors.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the subregions of thesubstrate which correspond to the color subregions are separated fromone another by webs. The webs preferably comprise an electricallyinsulating material, for example a photoresist.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecolor subregion of the luminous means comprises a color filter. Thecolor filter is suitable for filtering light from a specific wavelengthrange. This means that light from this wavelength range is at leastpartly absorbed by the color filter. In this way, from white light, forexample, a first color component can be filtered and a second colorcomponent can radiate through the color filter essentially unimpeded.The color subregion comprising the color filter then substantially emitslight of the second color component.

The color filter is embedded for example in the form of particles of oneor more color filter materials into a matrix material.

In particular color subregions which are arranged within one plane canexpediently comprise a color filter. In this case, the color filter isgenerally arranged between the first electrode and the underside of theluminous means if the luminous means is provided for emitting light fromits underside, and between the second electrode and the top side of theluminous means if the luminous means is provided for emitting light fromits top side. If the luminous means is provided for emitting light fromits top side and from its underside, then a color filter can alsorespectively be provided between the first electrode and the undersideand also between the second electrode and the top side. The color filterof the color subregion can be applied to the substrate for examplewithin a subregion of said substrate. Furthermore, the color filter canalso be arranged on the outer side of the substrate within a region ofthe substrate that corresponds to the subregion, or within a region ofthe encapsulation that corresponds to the subregion.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises a first color subregion comprising a firstcolor filter, and a second color subregion comprising a second colorfilter, wherein the first color filter is different from the secondcolor filter. In this way, the same organic emitter material can be usedfor the two color subregions. The color of the light emitted by thecolor subregions is then determined by the respective color filter ofeach color subregion. In this way, a luminous means comprising a firstcolor subregion and a second color subregion is realized, wherein thefirst color subregion emits light of a first color and the second colorsubregion emits light of a second color and the first color is differentfrom the second color. By way of example, the layer of the organic layerstack that is provided for generating light is suitable for emittingwhite light. The color filters then filter different color componentsfrom said white light.

An emitter material suitable for emitting white light is described forexample in the document D. Buchhauser et al., “Characterization ofWhite-Emitting Copolymers for PLED-Displays”, Proc. of SPIE, Vol. 5519,pp. 70-81, (2004), the disclosure content of which in this respect ishereby incorporated by reference. The emitter material described here isa broadband emitter based on a polymeric material which comprisescopolymers. The copolymers comprise as backbone polyspirobifluorenessuitable for emitting light from the blue spectral range. Green emittingand red emitting units are furthermore covalently coupled to thepolyspirobifluorenes.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises at least one color subregion which contains aluminescence conversion material. The luminescence conversion materialis suitable for converting light from a first wavelength range intolight from a second wavelength range, wherein the first wavelength rangeis different at least in places from the second wavelength range. Inthis case, the luminescence conversion material is preferably providedfor downward conversion. This means that the luminescence conversionmaterial absorbs light of at least a first wavelength comprised by thefirst wavelength range and re-emits light of at least a secondwavelength comprised by the second wavelength range, wherein the firstwavelength is lower than the second wavelength. Suitable luminescenceconversion materials are for example the organic and inorganic materialsthat have already been described above in connection with theplanarization layer.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises at least two color subregions which eachcomprise a luminescence conversion material, wherein mutually differentcolor subregions comprise mutually different luminescence conversionmaterials. By way of example, the active region comprises a first colorsubregion comprising a first luminescence conversion material, and asecond color subregion comprising a second luminescence conversionmaterial, wherein the first luminescence conversion material isdifferent from the second luminescence conversion material. In this way,the first color subregion is suitable for emitting light of a firstcolor and the second color subregion is suitable for emitting light of asecond color, wherein the first color is different from the secondcolor.

In particular color subregions which are arranged within one plane canexpediently comprise a luminescence conversion material. In this case,the luminescence conversion material is generally arranged between thefirst electrode and the underside of the luminous means if the luminousmeans is provided for emitting light from its underside, and between thesecond electrode and the top side of the luminous means if the luminousmeans is provided for emitting light from its top side.

If the luminous means is provided for emitting light from its top sideand from its underside, then a luminescence conversion material can alsorespectively be provided between the first electrode and the underside,and also between the second electrode and the top side. The luminescenceconversion material of the color subregion can be applied to thesubstrate for example within a subregion of said substrate. Furthermore,the luminescence conversion material can also be arranged on the outerside of the substrate within a region of the substrate that correspondsto the subregion, or within a region of the encapsulation thatcorresponds to the subregion.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecolor subregions of the luminous means are arranged vertically one aboveanother. Each color subregion comprises at least one organic layer ofthe layer stack of the luminous means which is suitable for generatinglight. The different layers of the organic layer stack which areprovided for generating light can then differ from one another forexample with regard to an emitter material.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means,different color subregions of the luminous means comprise differentemitter materials. That is to say that the first color subregioncomprises a first organic emitter material. The second color subregionthen comprises a second organic emitter material, wherein the firstorganic emitter material is different from the second organic emittermaterial. On account of the different emitter materials, the differentcolor subregions are then suitable for generating light of mutuallydifferent colors.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises at least one third color subregion which issuitable for emitting light of a third color, wherein the third color isdifferent from the first color and the second color. That is to say thatthe luminous means comprises at least three different color subregionswhich in pairs emit light of different colors. Preferably, the luminousmeans then comprises a plurality of third color subregions which are ineach case suitable for emitting light of the third color.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means comprisesat least one fourth color subregion which is suitable for emitting lightof a fourth color, wherein the fourth color is different from the firstcolor, the second color and the third color. That is to say that theluminous means comprises at least four different color subregions whichin pairs emit light of different colors. Preferably, the luminous meansthen comprises a plurality of fourth color subregions which are in eachcase suitable for emitting light of the fourth color.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises more than four different color subregions,wherein the different color subregions differ from one another in termsof the color of the light emitted by them.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises at least one color subregion which is suitablefor emitting white light. Preferably, the luminous means comprises aplurality of color subregions which are in each case suitable foremitting light of white color.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, colorsubregions of the luminous means which are of identical type can bedriven jointly. In this case, color subregions of identical type shouldbe understood to mean color subregions which are constructed identicallyand are thereby suitable for emitting light of identical color. Colorsubregions of identical type are distinguished for example by the sameorganic emitter material and/or the same color filter and/or the sameluminescence conversion material. By way of example, all the first colorsubregions, which are suitable emitting light of the first color, can bedriven jointly.

Can be driven jointly means that said color subregions can be energizedat identical times. The same color subregions can then be energized withthe same current intensity for example for identical times, foridentical time durations. This can be achieved for example by colorsubregions of identical type being electrically connected to oneanother. By way of example, one of the electrodes of the luminous meansis then structured in such a way that all the color subregions ofidentical type are electrically conductively connected to one another bymeans of this electrode.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, colorsubregions that are not of identical type can be driven independently ofone another. That is to say that for example the first and the secondcolor subregion can be energized independently of one another, such thatthe first color subregion is energized at first times and the secondcolor subregion is energized at second times. By way of example, all thefirst color subregions and all the second color subregions can beenergized alternately, such that the luminous means is suitable foralternately emitting light of the first and of the second color. Uponsimultaneous operation of the first color subregion and the second colorsubregion, the luminous means then emits light, for example mixed light,of the first and second colors.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises a controller provided for setting the operatingstate of the luminous means. The controller can be a switch, forexample, by which the luminous means can be switched on and off.Preferably, however, the controller is suitable for setting more thantwo operating states of the luminous means. By way of example, thecontroller can be suitable for driving different color subregions of theluminous means separately from one another.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecontroller comprises a microcontroller.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecontroller is arranged on the first main surface of the substrate of theluminous means. The controller can then be a separate component, forexample, which is arranged at a distance from the organic layer stack ofthe luminous means on the first main surface of the substrate.Furthermore, it is possible for the controller to contain at least oneorganic material and to be produced jointly with the layer stack of theluminous means. This enables a particularly space-saving andcost-effective integration of the controller into the luminous means.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecontroller is encapsulated together with the organic layer stack of theluminous means in a common encapsulation. This proves to be particularlyadvantageous if the controller contains an organic material as describedabove.

The encapsulation of the luminous means protects the controller againstdamage owing to atmospheric gases, moisture and mechanical loading. Acontroller which is encapsulated jointly with the organic layer stack ofthe luminous means and which contains an organic material enables, interalia, an advantageously compactly constructed, flexible luminous means.In particular, one of the encapsulations described further above such ascaps, thin plates, films or a thin-film encapsulation is appropriate asencapsulation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecontroller is provided for driving at least two color subregions of theluminous means independently of one another. The controller is thensuitable for energizing two different color subregions of the luminousmeans at different times, for different time durations and/or withcurrent of different intensities.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecontroller comprises a pulse width modulation circuit. The pulse widthmodulation circuit is suitable for applying a pulse-width-modulatedsignal to the active region and/or color subregions of the active regionof the luminous means.

A pulse-width-modulated signal is an electrical signal, preferably arectangular signal, a sawtooth signal, a triangular signal, or asinusoidal signal, which is switched on for a specific time t_(on)within a fixed basic period and is switched off for the remainingduration of the basic period t_(off). The duration for which the signalis switched on is also referred to as pulse duration in the presentcase. The value of the signal during the pulse duration is furthermorealso referred to as pulse height in the present case. The ratio ofswitched-on time and basic period t_(on)/(t_(on)+t_(off)) is referred toas duty ratio. It specifies the percentage temporal proportion overwhich the rectangular signal is switched on within the basic period.

The pulse height, pulse duration and/or direction of thepulse-width-modulated signal therefore changes periodically, forexample. In this case, the pulse duration, the spacing between thepulses and also the pulse height can preferably be set. Furthermore, thereverse voltage level and the frequency can also be set. Theseparameters of the pulse width modulation circuit can be set for exampleby a microcontroller that is part of the controller.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecontroller can be regulated by a user. The user can then set for examplethe parameters of the pulse width modulation circuit of the controller.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecolor of the light emitted by the luminous means can be set by means ofthe controller. By way of example, for this purpose the controllerenergizes specific color subregions of the luminous means, thusresulting in the desired color impression of the light emitted by theluminous means.

This is possible in a particularly simple manner for example when theluminous means comprises a first and a second color subregion which arereverse-connected in parallel with one another. By energizing theorganic layer stack with current of a first direction, the first colorsubregion is then operated in the forward direction and the second colorsubregion is connected in the reverse direction for this time, such thatno current flows through the second color subregion. By simply changingthe current direction, the second color subregion is energized in theforward direction for a second time, such that light of the second coloris emitted by the luminous means. The first color subregion is connectedin the reverse direction for the second time period, such that nocurrent flows through the first color subregion.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, thecolor and brightness of the light emitted by the luminous means aredependent on the current density of the current with which the luminousmeans is energized. For this purpose, the luminous means has for exampleat least two color subregions which are preferably arranged verticallyone above another. The field strength of the electric field generatedbetween the first and second electrodes during operation of the luminousmeans then determines the color subregion in which a recombination ofthe charge carriers takes place in the active region of the luminousmeans. In this way, the color and the brightness of the emitted lightcan be set for example by the pulse height and the pulse duration of acurrent flowing through the active region.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the controller is providedfor setting the current density of the current with which the luminousmeans is energized. That is to say that the controller is preferablysuitable for setting the intensity of the current with which theluminous means is energized, and/or the duration of the current withwhich the luminous means is energized. The color and brightness of thelight emitted by the luminous means are then preferably dependent on theintensity of the current with which the luminous means is energizedand/or the duration of energization of the luminous means. In this case,it is possible that two, three, four or more colors can be drivenindependently of one another.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means comprisesa sensor suitable for determining the color locus and/or the brightnessof the light emitted by the luminous means during operation. The sensorcan be arranged for example on the first main surface within the activeregion of the substrate of the luminous means. In particular, it ispossible for the sensor to contain an organic material and to beproduced together with the organic layer stack of the luminous means.The sensor can then be encapsulated for example together with theorganic layer stack of the luminous means by a common encapsulation. Thesensor is preferably a photodiode or a phototransistor.

As an alternative, it is possible for the sensor to be embodied as aseparate component. The sensor can then be arranged for example on thefirst main surface or the second main surface of the substrate, remotefrom the first main surface. In this case, the sensor is not necessarilyencapsulated jointly with the organic layer stack of the luminous means.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises a controller provided for energizing theluminous means in a manner dependent on the measured values determinedby the sensor. That is to say that the controller is suitable forregulating the luminous means in a manner dependent on the color locusand/or the brightness of the light emitted by the luminous means duringoperation. The luminous means comprises for example an organic layerstack as described above, in which the color of the light emitted by theluminous means is dependent on the current density of the current withwhich the luminous means is energized. The controller is then suitablefor setting a specific color locus and a specific brightness of thegenerated light by virtue of the fact that said controller readjusts thecurrent density of the current with which the luminous means isenergized in a manner dependent on the measured values determined by thesensor. In this way, the controller is suitable for setting a specificcolor of the light generated by the luminous means by means of a controlloop. In this case, the color can be predetermined by a user of theluminous means or a microcontroller of the controller.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means comprises at least one connection location which isprovided for making electrical contact with the luminous means. Theconnection location is electrically conductively connected to at leastone electrode of the luminous means—for example by means of anelectrical lead described further above. Via the connection location,electrical contact can be made with the luminous means from outside theluminous means. The connection location can be electrically conductivelyconnected for example to a voltage source, a current source or acontroller.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theconnection location is arranged at the second main surface of thesubstrate, remote from the first main surface of the substrate of theluminous means. In this case, the connection location is electricallyconductively connected to at least one of the electrodes of the luminousmeans for example by means of vias or perforations in the substrate.

As an alternative, it is possible for an electrically conductiveconnection to be led between the connection location and at least oneelectrode of the luminous means by way of the side surfaces of thesubstrate. In this case, it is possible to dispense with vias orperforations in the substrate.

The connection between at least one electrode of the luminous means andthe connection location can be effected by electrical leads. Theelectrical leads are embodied for example as an electrically conductivecoating of parts of the luminous means, as conductor tracks integratedinto the substrate, or as contact wires.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, atleast one connection location of the luminous means is arranged at aside surface of the substrate. The side surface of the substratepreferably connects the first main surface of the substrate to thesecond main surface of the substrate. For the case where the luminousmeans has more than one connection location, all the connectionlocations of the luminous means can be arranged either at a side surfaceof the substrate or at the second main surface of the substrate.Furthermore, it is possible for connection locations to be situated bothat the side surface of the substrate and at the second main surface ofthe substrate.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, atleast one connection location of the luminous means is embodied as aconnection pin. The connection pin can be arranged at the second mainsurface of the substrate or at a side surface of the substrate. Theconnection pin contains or consists of an electrically conductivematerial, such as a metal for example.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, atleast one connection location of the luminous means is embodied as aconnection plug. The connection plug can be arranged at the second mainsurface of the substrate or at a side surface of the substrate. Theconnection plug is embodied for example in the manner of a phono plug orin the manner of a jack plug. In this case, it is possible, inparticular, for the connection plug to have at least two contact regionswhich are electrically insulated from one another. The first contactregion is then electrically conductively connected to the firstelectrode of the luminous means—for example by means of first electricalleads. The second contact region is correspondingly conductivelyconnected to the second electrode of the luminous means—for example bymeans of second electrical leads.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, atleast one connection location of the luminous means is embodied as acutout. The cutout is a hole or a bore, for example, which is introducedinto the substrate at a side surface of the substrate or at the secondmain surface of the substrate.

In this case, the side surfaces of the cutout are embodied inelectrically conductive fashion at least in places. The side surfaces ofthe cutout can be coated in electrically conductive fashion, by way ofexample.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, atleast one connection location of the luminous means is embodied as asocket. The socket can be embodied for example in the manner of a phonosocket or a jack socket. The socket then has two electrically conductivecontact regions which are electrically insulated from one another. Thefirst contact region is then electrically conductively connected to thefirst electrode of the luminous means, for example by means of firstelectrical leads. The second contact region is electrically conductivelyconnected to the second electrode of the luminous means—for example bymeans of second electrical leads.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means has at least one connection location which comprises aplurality of connection pins. The connection location then comprises atleast one first connection pin, which is electrically conductivelyconnected to the first electrode of the luminous means. Furthermore, theconnection location comprises a second connection pin, which iselectrically conductively connected to the second electrode of theluminous means. Moreover, the connection location can comprise furtherconnection pins which, by way of example, are electrically conductivelyconnected to a controller of the luminous means. In this way, it ispossible that the controller can be driven from outside the luminousmeans by means of the corresponding connection pins.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, theluminous means has a controller and a connection location which iselectrically conductively connected to the controller. Electricalsignals can be conducted to the controller via the connection location.In this way, the controller can be set from outside the luminousmeans—for example by a user.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, atleast one connection location of the luminous means is embodied as aconnection rail which extends along a side surface of the substrate. Theconnection rail is preferably electrically conductively connected to atleast one electrode of the luminous means.

The connection rail can be embodied for example in cylindrical fashionor in the manner of a cut-open cylinder. Preferably, the connection railextends over at least 60% of the length of the side surface of thesubstrate at which the connection rail is arranged. Particularlypreferably, the connection rail extends over at least 80% of the lengthof the side surface of the substrate at which the connection rail isarranged.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the luminous means, atleast one of the connection locations is provided for the mechanicalfixing of the luminous means. The luminous means can be mechanicallyconnected to other luminous means or to a carrier, for example, by meansof said connection location. Particularly preferably, the connectionlocation is provided both for mechanical and for electrical fixing ofthe luminous means. That is to say that, by means of the same connectionlocation, electrical contact is made with the luminous means and thelatter is mechanically connected to some other luminous means or acarrier.

An illumination device is furthermore specified. The illumination devicecomprises at least one luminous means such as has been explained inconnection with at least one of the embodiments described above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the illumination device comprises at least two luminous means which areelectrically and mechanically connected to one another. In this case, itis possible for the luminous means to be directly electrically andmechanically connected to one another. However, it is also possible forthe luminous means to be electrically and mechanically connected to oneanother by means of a carrier of the illumination device.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the illumination device comprises a first luminous means and a secondluminous means. The first luminous means has at least one connectionlocation which is embodied as a connection pin. The connection pin isarranged at a side surface of the substrate of the first luminous means.The second luminous means has at least one connection location which isembodied as a cutout in a side surface of the substrate of the secondluminous means. The connection pin of the first luminous means engagesinto the cutout of the second luminous means. The first and the secondluminous means are electrically conductively connected to one another bymeans of their connection locations—the connection pin and the cutout.

The illumination device can furthermore comprise further luminous meanswhich are electrically conductively connected to the first or the secondluminous means in the manner described.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the first and the second luminous means are also mechanically connectedto one another by an interference fit by means of the connectionlocations.

For this purpose, by way of example, a first connection location of thefirst luminous means is embodied as a connection pin. A secondconnection location of the second luminous means is then embodied as acutout. The diameter of the connection pin of the first luminous meansis chosen to be greater than or equal to the diameter of the cutout ofthe second luminous means. By pressing the connection pin of the firstluminous means into the cutout of the second luminous means, amechanically fixed connection between the first and the second luminousmeans is then produced. Preferably, the first and the second luminousmeans are mechanically and electrically connected to one another by theconnection pin and the corresponding cutout.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the first and the second luminous means are mechanically connected toone another by a plug connection by means of the connection locations.For this purpose, by way of example, the first luminous means has afirst connection location embodied as a connection plug. The secondluminous means has a second connection location embodied as a socket. Byplugging the connection plug of the first luminous means into theconnection socket of the second luminous means, a plug connection isproduced by means of which the first luminous means is mechanicallyconnected to the second luminous means. Preferably, the first luminousmeans and the second luminous means are also electrically connected toone another by means of the plug connection. The plug connection betweenthe first and the second luminous means is preferably embodied indetachable fashion, preferably in such a way that the first and thesecond luminous means can be detached from one another again by applyinga small mechanical force. In this way, by way of example, a defectiveluminous means can be removed from the illumination device in a simplemanner and be replaced by a new luminous means.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the illumination device comprises a carrier to which the at least oneluminous means of the illumination device is mechanically connected.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the illumination device comprises a carrier to which the at least oneluminous means of the illumination device is electrically connected. Inthis case, it is possible for the luminous means of the illuminationdevice also to be electrically interconnected with one another by way ofthe carrier.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the illumination device comprises a carrier to which the at least oneluminous means of the illumination device is mechanically andelectrically connected. For the case where the illumination device has aplurality of luminous means, the luminous means are mechanicallyconnected to one another by means of the carrier. Furthermore, it isalso possible for the luminous means also to be electrically connectedto one another by means of the carrier.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the carrier is embodied as acarrier plate. That is to say that the carrier is formed by a solid bodyhaving two main surfaces which lie opposite one another and which areconnected to one another by side surfaces.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the carrier is embodied as a grid. In this case, the carrier can beembodied in the manner of a carrier plate having a plurality ofperforations. A carrier having a lowest possible weight is realized inthis way.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the carrier is embodied as a cable system. The carrier then comprises atleast two cables which contain an electrically conductive material orconsist of an electrically conductive material. Electrical contact canbe made with the luminous means of the illumination device by means ofthe cables of the carrier. By way of example, the cables of theillumination device run parallel or substantially parallel to oneanother. One or a plurality of luminous means can then be arranged andelectrically connected between two respective cables of the carrier.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the carrier is embodied as a rod system. The carrier then comprises atleast two rods which contain an electrically conductive material orconsist of an electrically conductive material. Electrical contact canthen be made with the luminous means of the illumination device by meansof the rods. By way of example, the rods of the illumination device runparallel or substantially parallel to one another. One or a plurality ofluminous means can then be arranged and electrically connected betweentwo respective rods of the carrier.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,at least one luminous means of the illumination device is mechanicallyand electrically connected to the carrier by means of a connectionlocation embodied as a connection pin. Preferably, all the luminousmeans of the illumination device are then mechanically and electricallyconnected to the carrier by means of at least one connection locationembodied as a connection pin. For this purpose, the carrier can have amultiplicity of cutouts, for example. The connection locations of theluminous means which are embodied as connection pins then engage intocorresponding cutouts of the carrier. The mechanical connection betweenthe luminous means and the carrier is preferably provided by aninterference fit in this case.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,at least one luminous means of the illumination device is mechanicallyand electrically connected to the carrier by means of at least oneconnection location embodied as a connection plug. Preferably, all theluminous means of the illumination device are then mechanically andelectrically connected to the carrier by means of at least oneconnection location embodied as a connection plug. For this purpose, thecarrier can have a multiplicity of cutouts, for example, which are ineach case embodied as connection sockets. The connection plugs of theluminous means then engage into corresponding sockets of the carrier.The mechanical connection between the luminous means and the carrier ispreferably embodied in detachable fashion in this case, in such a waythat the luminous means can be detached from the carrier by applyingsmall mechanical force. Damaged luminous means can be replacedparticularly simply in this way.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,at least one luminous means of the illumination device is mechanicallyand electrically connected to the carrier by means of at least oneconnection location embodied as a connection rail. Preferably, all theluminous means of the illumination device are then connected to thecarrier by means of at least one respective connection rail. In thiscase, the carrier is preferably embodied as a cable system or rodsystem.

By way of example, the carrier comprises two cables or rods which runparallel to one another and which are embodied in electricallyconductive fashion. At least one luminous means of the illuminationdevice then comprises at least two connection locations embodied asconnection rails. The connection rails run at side surfaces of theluminous means which are remote from one another. Each connection railengages into a cable or a rod of the carrier, such that the luminousmeans is arranged between the cables or the rods of the carrier.Preferably, a plurality of luminous means are connected to the carrierin this way.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the illumination device comprises a first luminous means and a secondluminous means, wherein the first and the second luminous means emitlight of different colors during operation. In this case, it ispossible, on the one hand, for the first and the second luminous meansto differ from one another with regard to the organic emitter materialused, a luminescence conversion material or a color filter. The firstand the second luminous means are then embodied differently, therefore.

However, it is also possible to use, for the first and the secondluminous means, luminous means as described further above which aresuitable for emitting light of at least a first and a second colorduring operation. This can be realized as described further above, forexample, by the first and the second luminous means each comprising atleast two color subregions which are suitable for emitting light ofmutually different colors. That is to say that the illumination devicecomprises at least one multicolored luminous means such as has beendescribed in more detail further above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the illumination device comprises a plurality of luminous means whichare suitable for emitting light of mutually different colors. That is tosay that the illumination devices comprises a multiplicity ofmulticolored luminous means.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,an optical element comprising a diffuser is disposed downstream of theluminous means of the illumination device in an emission direction ofthe luminous means. By way of example, in this case the carrier isembodied as a carrier plate. A plurality of luminous means are thenapplied to the carrier plate, said luminous means being mechanically andelectrically connected to the carrier plate. An optical elementcomprising a diffuser is disposed downstream of that side of theluminous means which is remote from the carrier plate. The opticalelement can be formed for example by a light-transmissive plate—forexample a glass plate—into which light-scattering particles areintroduced. As an alternative, it is possible for the surface of thelight-transmissive plate to be roughened, such that, on account of lightrefraction during passage through the plate, a diffuse scattering of thelight passing through takes place. The optical element—for example thediffuser plate—can be mechanically fixed to the carrier of theillumination device.

In this case, the optical element disposed downstream of the at leastone luminous means of the illumination device is preferably suitable formixing the light generated by the luminous means in such a way that themodular construction of the illumination device composed of a pluralityof luminous means is no longer discernible to an observer. Theillumination device then appears as though the illumination device has asingle luminous surface, wherein the form and surface area content ofthe luminous surface are determined by the form and light passagesurface of the optical element.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the illumination device has a multiplicity of luminous means arranged inmatrix-like fashion. “Arranged in matrix-like fashion” means that theluminous means are arranged in rows and in columns. The illuminationdevice additionally has a controller suitable for driving each of theluminous means of the illumination device independently of the remainingluminous means. The controller can therefore energize each luminousmeans of the illumination device with a predeterminable operatingcurrent for predeterminable time periods, at predeterminable times.

On account of the matrix-like arrangement of the luminous means and ofthe controller suitable for driving each of the luminous meansindependently of the other luminous means of the illumination device,the illumination device is suitable for forming a coarse-grained displayapparatus. Each luminous means then corresponds to a pixel of thedisplay apparatus. The illumination device is suitable in this way foruse as a coarse-grained display, advertising logo or signal transmitter.The illumination device can furthermore be provided in the sense of aseven-segment display representing numerals and letters. Theillumination device is also particularly well suited as emergencylighting that indicates an escape route, for example, using symbols orwords.

The luminous means of the illumination device embodied as acoarse-grained display apparatus are preferably mechanically andelectrically connected to a carrier by means of connection locationsand/or electrically and mechanically interconnected by means ofconnection locations, as described above.

Particularly preferably, the illumination device embodied as acoarse-grained display apparatus in this case comprises at least onemulticolored luminous means which is suitable for emitting light of afirst color during a first time period and for emitting light of asecond color during a second time period, wherein the first colordiffers from the second color. This can be made possible for example—asdescribed above—by virtue of the fact that the luminous means has aplurality of color subregions which are suitable for generating light ofmutually different colors. As an alternative, it is possible for thecolor of the light generated by the luminous means during operation tobe dependent for example on the current density with which the luminousmeans is operated.

The use of luminous means which are suitable for emitting light ofdifferent colors makes it possible to use the illumination device as acoarse-grained display apparatus which can be used particularlydiversely.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the carrier of the illumination device contains a textile material. Theluminous means of the illumination device are then at least mechanicallyconnected to the carrier. The mechanical connection can be imparted forexample by a hook-and-loop connection between the textile material and ahook-and-loop layer applied to the second main surface of the luminousmeans.

Furthermore, it is possible for conductor tracks—for example thin metalwires—to be integrated into the textile material. The conductor trackscan be interwoven for example with the material of the carrier. By meansof these conductor tracks, it is possible to make electrical contactwith the luminous means of the illumination device by means of thecarrier. As an alternative, the luminous means of the illuminationdevice can bear a dedicated power supply in the form of a battery, arechargeable battery or a capacitor.

The luminous means of the illumination device with the carriercontaining a textile material are preferably embodied in flexiblefashion. Particularly preferably, the luminous means are embodied insimilarly flexible fashion to the carrier. That is to say that theluminous means can largely adapt themselves to a deformation of thecarrier on which they are applied—for example by folding.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the carrier containing a textile material is embodied as a curtain. Atleast one—for example flexible—luminous means is then applied on thecurtain. In this case, it is possible for a large part of that surfaceof the curtain which faces the at least one luminous means to be coveredby the at least one luminous means.

With the curtain drawn, the main surface of the curtain which is coveredby the at least one luminous means forms the luminous surface of theillumination device.

By way of example, the curtain is fitted in front of a window. Thecurtain then forms an illumination device whose luminous surface areacorresponds approximately to the area content of the window covered bythe curtain. In this way, the illumination device realizes room lightingcorresponding to the window in terms of size and direction of lightincidence. A room with such a curtain is preferably illuminated withlight similar to daylight by the illumination device.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the carrier containing a textile material is embodied as a garment. Atleast one luminous means is mechanically fixed on the garment. Themechanical connection can be imparted for example by a hook-and-loopconnection between the textile material of the garment and ahook-and-loop layer applied to the second main surface of the luminousmeans. In this case, the luminous means is preferably embodied inflexible fashion—as described further above—and has a flexibility whichcorresponds approximately to the flexibility of the garment. Preferably,the luminous means is suitable—as described further above—for generatinglight of at least two different colors. The luminous means can thenserve as a signal apparatus by means of which the wearer of the garmentcan optically represent information. For this purpose, the luminousmeans is connected to a controller which can be set by the wearer of thegarment.

As an alternative or in addition it is possible for the control means toset the operating state of the luminous means—that is to say for examplethe color of the light emitted by the luminous means—in a mannerdependent on specific measured values. For this purpose, theillumination device comprises at least one sensor which is suitable fordetermining body functions of the wearer of the garment such as thepulse rate, the skin resistance and/or the body temperature of thewearer. Depending on the values determined, the controller then sets theoperating state of the luminous means. The luminous means is thensuitable, therefore, for optically reproducing information about bodyfunctions of the wearer of the garment.

Furthermore, the illumination device whose carrier is embodied as agarment can serve to improve the visibility of the person wearing thegarment—for example in road traffic. Such a garment is particularly wellsuited to cyclists and pedestrians.

Furthermore, an optical display apparatus is specified. The opticaldisplay apparatus comprises an imaging element and at least two luminousmeans which are embodied in accordance with at least one of theembodiments described above. In this case, the luminous means form abacklighting apparatus for the imaging element.

The backlighting apparatus is preferably embodied like at least one ofthe illumination devices described further above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the display apparatus, thebacklighting apparatus of the display apparatus comprises at least twoluminous means which are electrically and mechanically connected to oneanother. In this case, it is possible for the luminous means to bedirectly electrically and mechanically connected to one another.However, it is also possible for the luminous means to be electricallyand mechanically connected to one another by means of a carrier of thebacklighting apparatus of the display apparatus. The luminous means ofthe backlighting apparatus are then mechanically connected and/orelectrically connected among one another and/or to a carrier, asdescribed further above, by means of connection locations which can beembodied as connection pins, connection plugs, connection holes, orsockets.

The imaging element of the display apparatus can be an LCD panel, forexample. The imaging element is disposed directly downstream of theluminous means of the backlighting apparatus in the emission directionthereof. That is to say that the imaging element is then directlybacklit by the luminous means. The modular construction of thebacklighting apparatus for the imaging element composed of two or moreluminous means enables the backlighting of a particularly large area. Aparticularly large display apparatus can be realized in this way.Furthermore, defective luminous means of the backlighting apparatus canbe replaced particularly simply—on account of the modular constructionof the backlighting apparatus of the display apparatus.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the optical displayapparatus, at least one of the luminous means of the display apparatusis suitable for emitting white light during operation. Preferably, allof the luminous means of the backlighting apparatus of the displayapparatus are then suitable for emitting white light.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the display apparatus, thelight emitted by the luminous means of the display apparatus duringoperation is mixed to form white light. That is to say that the displayapparatus then comprises for example luminous means suitable foremitting green light, luminous means suitable for emitting red light,and luminous means suitable for emitting blue light. These luminousmeans are then preferably arranged in such a way that a white colorimpression is established as a result of the intermixing of the light ofthe individual luminous means. For this purpose, an optical elementcomprising a diffuser can be arranged between the luminous means and theimaging element. By way of example, the optical element is a diffuserplate which—as described further above—is suitable for intermixing thelight generated by the luminous means.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device,the illumination device comprises one of the luminous means describedhere as a first light source and a further second light source.

The luminous means is in this case preferably embodied in such a waythat it is embodied as transmissive at least to the light generated bythe organic layer stack and also the light from the second light source.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the second light source isan incandescent lamp, a light-emitting diode module—“LED module” forshort—, at least one individual light-emitting diode—“LED” for short—acold cathode lamp, a lava lamp, a fluorescent lamp or an organiclight-emitting diode—“OLED” for short.

An LED module comprises one or a plurality of LEDs arranged on acarrier. The carrier can be a printed circuit board, for example, suchas a metal-core circuit board, for example. Furthermore, an LED modulecan comprise a beam-shaping optical unit disposed downstream of the LEDsin the emission direction thereof. The beam-shaping optical unit isformed for example at least partly in the manner of one of the followingoptical elements: compound parabolic concentrator (CPC), compoundelliptic concentrator (CEC), compound hyperbolic concentrator (CHC).Furthermore, the beam-shaping optical unit can be a lens.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means emitslight of a first color and the second light source emits light of asecond color, which is different from the first color.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means isembodied such that it is dimmable.

In accordance with at least one further embodiment, the second lightsource is embodied such that it is dimmable.

Dimming of the luminous means and of the second light source can beachieved for example by the use of a PWM circuit that generatespulse-width-modulated signals (PWM signals), or by means of aconventional dimmer.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means isembodied in flexible fashion.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means isembodied as a lampshade, which is arranged for example around or abovethe second light source.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means and thesecond light source are arranged with respect to one another in such away that light from the second light source passes through the luminousmeans.

An illumination device in which:

-   -   the luminous means emits light of a first color and the second        light source emits light of a second color, which is different        from the first color,    -   at least one of the two light sources is dimmable, and    -   the luminous means and the second light source are arranged with        respect to one another in such a way that light from the second        light source passes through the luminous means,

is referred to hereinafter as “color-variable illumination device”.

Preferably, the luminous means of the color-variable illumination deviceis embodied as transmissive to visible light, in particular to the lightgenerated by the organic layer stack and to the light emitted by thesecond light source.

The color-variable illumination device is suitable for emittingmixed-colored light comprising light from the luminous means and lightfrom the second light source. This affords the advantage that the colorlocus and brightness of the illumination device can be varied byvariation of the color and brightness of the luminous means and/or ofthe second light source. In this case, either the brightness of one ofthe light sources—luminous means or second light source—can be keptconstant and the brightness of the other light source can be varied orthe brightnesses of both light sources can be varied. Thus, the colorand brightness of the light from the illumination device can be adaptedto a specific situation or mood in a simple manner.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the color-variableillumination device, the luminous means emits light from the yellowspectral range and the second light source emits light from the bluespectral range. Likewise, it is also conceivable for the luminous meansto emit light from the blue spectral range and the second light sourceto emit light from the yellow spectral range. A color-variableillumination device which emits light having a color locus in the whiteregion of the CIE standard chromaticity diagram is advantageouslyobtained in this way. By varying the brightness of the second lightsource and/or of the luminous means—that is to say by adapting the colorcomponent of the blue light and of the yellow light in the mixed-coloredlight of the color-variable illumination device—the color locus of themixed-colored light of the color-variable illumination device can bevaried in wide ranges of the CIE standard chromaticity diagram and, inparticular, be adapted to a desired value. In particular, differentwhite tones of the mixed-colored light can thus be set and adapted tothe corresponding situation.

Furthermore, the luminous means and the second light source of acolor-variable illumination device, alongside yellow and blue, can alsohave other mutually different colors. If both light sources—luminousmeans and second light source—are embodied in dimmable fashion, thecolor of the mixed-colored light of the illumination device can thus beset fluidly from the color of the light from the luminous means to thecolor of the light from the second light source.

In particular, it is possible in this case for the luminous means to beembodied as a multicolored luminous means comprising at least two colorsubregions as described further above. Such a multicolored luminousmeans enables a color-variable illumination device which can generatefor example a particularly large number of white tones and/or whitelight having a high color rendering index (CRI).

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the color-variableillumination device, the luminous means emits light of a first colorfrom the warm white region of the CIE standard chromaticity diagram andthe second light source emits light of a second color from the coldwhite region of the CIE standard chromaticity diagram. It is likewisepossible for the luminous means to emit light of a first color from thecold white region of the CIE standard chromaticity diagram and for thesecond light source to emit light of a second color from the warm whiteregion of the CIE standard chromaticity diagram. The color locus of themixed-colored light of this color-variable illumination device can beset between cold white and warm white. Such a color-variableillumination device can be used as a light source in the private domain,for example, wherein in work situations for instance cold white light israther used, which in relaxation phases can be altered by the userrapidly and simply by dimming the cold white light source and increasingthe warm white component in the mixed-colored light to form warm whitelight.

Particularly preferably, the luminous means of the color-variableillumination device is embodied as a lampshade. The latter is arrangedaround or above the second light source, for example. Particularlypreferably, the luminous means is embodied in flexible fashion in thiscase.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the luminous means isembodied in flexible fashion in such a way that the form of the luminousmeans can be altered during the application.

A color-variable illumination device comprising a second light sourcewhich serves predominantly for decoration, such as a lava lamp forexample, is preferably used for decoration purposes, for example in barsor as floor lighting of dance floors.

Furthermore, color-variable illumination devices can be used for medicalpurposes in light therapy.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the illumination device, alight-emitting main surface of the luminous means and a light-emittingfront side of the second light source are arranged in a common plane. Inthis case, the second light source can be an LED module, for example,which is arranged within the radiation-emitting front side of theluminous means. Particularly preferably, the LED module is in this casearranged centrally within the radiation-emitting main surface of theluminous means. Such an arrangement can be used for example as adecoration element.

Storage furniture is furthermore specified. The storage furniturecomprises a radiation-emitting component. The radiation-emittingcomponent can be, in particular, a luminous means according to at leastone of the embodiments described here. In particular, the storagefurniture can also be an illumination device according to at least oneof the embodiments described here. That is to say that the storagefurniture can have any desired features of the luminous means andillumination devices described here. Embodiments which relate to storagefurniture, in particular, are described below. The luminous means andillumination devices described here can also have any desired featuresof the storage furniture described here.

In the case of a storage surface on which articles or objects arepositioned for example for storage or for exhibition, it may bedesirable also to illuminate said articles or objects in addition to thepossibility of arranging them on the storage surface. In this case, thedesire for illumination may have functional and also esthetic reasons.For this purpose, usually in the surroundings of the storage surface,that is to say above or alongside the latter for instance, anillumination device is fitted in such a way that a desired illuminationof the storage surface and possibly also of the surroundings isobtained.

Storage furniture in accordance with one embodiment of the inventioncomprises, in particular,

-   -   a storage element shaped in planar fashion and having at least        one storage surface and at least one radiation-emitting        component, having an active region which emits electromagnetic        radiation during operation, and    -   at least one holding apparatus for holding the storage element.

In this case, in particular, the storage surface can serve forpositioning and/or storing articles on it.

In a further embodiment, the radiation-emitting component is shaped inplanar fashion. In this case, “shaped in planar fashion” can mean thatthe radiation-emitting component extends continuously over an arealregion having at least a surface area of a plurality of squaremillimeters, preferably a plurality of square centimeters andparticularly preferably at least one or a plurality of square decimetersor more. In particular a radiation-emitting component shaped in planarfashion can have a surface area which is of the order of magnitude ofthe storage surface.

In one preferred embodiment, the radiation-emitting component is anorganic radiation-emitting component, in particular an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED). In this case, an OLED can have an organiclayer or a layer sequence having at least one organic layer, having anactive region which can emit electromagnetic radiation during operation.Furthermore, an OLED can have a first electrode and a second electrode,wherein the organic layer or the layer sequence having at least oneorganic layer having the active region can be arranged between the firstand second electrodes. In this case, the first and the second electrodecan be suitable for injecting “holes” and electrons, respectively, intothe active region, which can recombine there with emission ofelectromagnetic radiation.

Furthermore, the first electrode can be arranged on a substrate. Theorganic layer or the layer sequence having one or a plurality offunctional layers composed of organic materials can be applied above thefirst electrode. In this case, the functional layers which can comprisethe active region can have for example electron transport layers,electroluminescent layers and/or hole transport layers. The secondelectrode can be applied above the functional layers or above the atleast one organic layer.

By way of example, the substrate can comprise glass, quartz, plasticfilms, metal, metal films, silicon wafers or another other suitablesubstrate material. By way of example, the substrate can also beembodied as a layer sequence or laminate of a plurality of layers. Ifthe organic radiation-emitting component is embodied as a so-called“bottom emitter”, that is to say that the electromagnetic radiationgenerated in the active region can be emitted through the substrate,then the substrate can advantageously have a transparency to at least apart of the electromagnetic radiation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, at least one of theelectrodes comprises a transparent conductive oxide, a metal or aconductive organic material or consists thereof.

In the bottom emitter configuration, the first electrode canadvantageously be transparent to at least a part of the electromagneticradiation. A transparent first electrode, which can be embodied as ananode and can therefore serve as a material that injects positivecharges or “holes”, can for example comprise a transparent conductiveoxide or consist of a transparent conductive oxide. Transparentconductive oxides “TCO” for short are transparent conductive materials,generally metal oxides, such as, for example, zinc oxide, tin oxide,cadmium oxide, titanium oxide, indium oxide or indium tin oxide (ITO).Alongside binary metal-oxygen compounds such as, for example, ZnO, SnO₂or In₂O₃, ternary metal-oxygen compounds such as, for example, Zn₂SnO₄,CdSnO₃, ZnSnO₃, MgIn₂O₄, GaInO₃, Zn₂In₂O₅ or In₄Sn₃O₁₂ or mixtures ofdifferent transparent conductive oxides also belong to the group ofTCOs. Furthermore, the TCOs need not necessarily correspond to astoichiometric composition and can also be p- or n-doped. As analternative or in addition, the first electrode can also comprise ametal, for example silver.

The layer sequence having at least one organic layer can comprisepolymers, oligomers, monomers, organic small molecules or other organicnon-polymeric compounds or combinations thereof. In particular, it canbe advantageous if a functional layer of the layer sequence is embodiedas a hole transport layer in order to enable an effective hole injectioninto an electroluminescent layer or an electroluminescent region. Suchstructures concerning the active region or the further functional layersand regions are known to the person skilled in the art in particularwith regard to materials, construction, function and structure and willtherefore not be explained in any greater detail at this juncture.

The second electrode can be embodied as a cathode and therefore serve asa material that induces electrons. Inter alia, in particular aluminum,barium, indium, silver, gold, magnesium, calcium or lithium and alsocompounds, combinations and alloys thereof can prove to be advantageousas cathode material. In addition or as an alternative, the secondelectrode can also be embodied in transparent fashion. This means, inparticular, that the OLED can also be embodied as a “top”, that is tosay that the electromagnetic radiation generated in the active regioncan be emitted on that side of the organic radiation-emitting componentwhich is remote from the substrate.

If an electrode which comprises the metallic layer or consists thereofis intended to be embodied as transmissive to the light emitted by theorganic layer stack, then it can be advantageous if the metallic layeris made sufficiently thin. Preferably, the thickness of such asemitransparent metallic layer lies between 1 nm and 100 nm, inclusiveof the limits.

Furthermore, the first electrode can be embodied as cathode and thesecond electrode as anode, wherein the organic radiation-emittingcomponent can in this case be embodied as a bottom or top emitter.Moreover, the organic radiation-emitting component can simultaneously beembodied as a top emitter and as a bottom emitter.

Furthermore, the organic radiation-emitting component can have anencapsulation in order to achieve a protection against moisture and/oroxidizing substances such as oxygen, for instance, for the electrodesand/or the functional region. In this case, the encapsulation cansurround the entire organic radiation-emitting component including thesubstrate. As an alternative, the substrate and/or at least oneelectrode can form a part of the encapsulation. In this case, theencapsulation can comprise one or a plurality of layers, wherein thelayers of the encapsulation can be for example planarization layers,barrier layers, water and/or oxygen absorbing layers, connecting layersor combinations thereof.

As an alternative, the radiation-emitting component can be embodied asan electroluminescent film. In this case, an active region comprising aninorganic material, for example based on zinc sulfide, can be arrangedbetween a first and a second electrode. In this case, the electrodes canhave features and structures as described in connection with the organicradiation-emitting components. The active region can have a suitabledoping, for instance copper or europium.

The electromagnetic radiation generated by the active region of theradiation-emitting component can have in particular a spectrum havingwavelengths in an ultraviolet to infrared spectral range. In particular,it can be advantageous if the spectrum has at least one wavelengthvisible to an observer. The spectrum of the electromagnetic radiationcan advantageously also comprise a plurality of wavelengths, such that amixed-colored luminous impression can arise for an observer. For thispurpose, it can be possible that the radiation-emitting component itselfcan generate electromagnetic radiation having a plurality of wavelengthsor that a part of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the organicradiation-emitting component or the entire electromagnetic radiationgenerated by the radiation-emitting component and having a firstwavelength, for instance in a blue and/or green spectral range, isconverted into a second wavelength, for instance in a yellow and/or redspectral range, by a wavelength conversion substance. For this purpose,a layer or a region which comprises a wavelength conversion substancecan be disposed downstream of the active region. In particular, awavelength conversion substance structured into partial regions can bedisposed downstream of the active region, such that an observer can begiven different-colored luminous impressions in different partialregions of the radiation-emitting component. Suitable wavelengthconversion substances and layers comprising wavelength conversionsubstances and also the structurings thereof are known to the personskilled in the art with regard to their construction and their functionand will not be explained in any greater detail at this juncture.

In a further embodiment, the first and/or the second electrode of theradiation-emitting component is structured, for example in the form ofelectrode strips, which can also run parallel to one another. This canmean, in particular, that the first and/or the second electrode haspartial regions which can be connected to a current and/or voltagesource independently of one another. As a result, the radiation-emittingcomponent can have different operating states depending on thecontact-connection of the partial regions of the first and/or secondelectrode, that is to say that different luminous patterns and luminousdistributions of the radiation-emitting component can be generated.Furthermore, by way of example, the active region of theradiation-emitting component, in the case of an organicradiation-emitting component for instance the organic layer or the layersequence having at least one organic layer, in the different partialregions of the first and/or the second electrode, can comprise in eachcase different materials and for example also be structured, such thatthe radiation-emitting component can emit for example electromagneticradiation having different wavelengths in different operating states. Asa result, a different-colored or else a mixed-colored luminousimpression can be generated for an observer depending on thecontact-connection of the partial regions of the first and/or secondelectrode to a current and/or voltage source.

In particular, the first electrode can be structured in such a way thatit is embodied as parallel strips. In this case, groups of parallelstrips can together respectively form partial regions which can beconnected to a current and/or voltage source independently of oneanother. As an alternative or in addition, the second electrode can alsobe structured in this way. Preferably, the first and the secondelectrode can in each case be structured as parallel strips, wherein theparallel strips of the first electrode can be perpendicular to theparallel strips of the second electrode. As an alternative, the stripsof the first electrode and the strips of the second electrode can alsobe parallel to one another. In this case, the first and/or the secondelectrode can have respectively independent partial regions of parallelstrips, such that a plurality of illumination patterns can be generated.Furthermore, it can also be possible that, by way of example, the firstelectrode is embodied in planar fashion and the second electrode isstructured in the form of pictograms, or vice versa, such that theluminous impression for an observer can be perceived in conjunction witha pictorial impression.

In a further embodiment, the storage element can have at least partialregions which are transparent to the electromagnetic radiation generatedby the radiation-emitting component. In one preferred embodiment,“transparent” can mean that a transparent element or structural part istransmissive at least to a partial region of the spectrum of the emittedradiation of the organic radiation-emitting component. Preferably,“transparent” can also mean transmissive to the entire spectrum. Astorage element having at least transparent partial regions can forexample comprise glass or transparent plastic or else be composed ofglass or a transparent plastic. As an alternative, the storage elementcan have at least partial regions which are opaque to theelectromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation-emitting component.For this purpose, the storage element can comprise opaque glass, anopaque plastic, metal or wood or a combination thereof or be composed ofsuch materials or a combination thereof.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the radiation-emittingcomponent can be a constituent part of the storage element and forexample be integrated into the storage element shaped in planar fashion.In this case, it is possible for the radiation-emitting component to bearranged in the interior of the storage element and to emit theelectromagnetic radiation emitted during operation toward the outsidevia one of the outer surfaces of the storage element. Said outersurfaces are then at least partially transparent to the electromagneticradiation generated by the organic radiation-emitting component.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the storage element has a glasssubstrate, on which the radiation-emitting component is fitted, and alsoa further glass plate, which is arranged on that side of the organicradiation-emitting component which is remote from the glass substrateand which can enable for example an encapsulation or a part of anencapsulation for the radiation-emitting component. In this case, thatside of the glass substrate which is remote from the radiation-emittingcomponent or that side of the glass plate which is remote from theradiation-emitting component can have the storage surface. As analternative, the storage element can also have a plastic substrateand/or a plastic plate.

In particular, the storage element can be embodied as a substrate for aradiation-emitting component. As an alternative, an organicradiation-emitting component comprising a substrate can be applied onthe storage element. As an alternative or in addition, the encapsulationof the radiation-emitting component can also be embodied as a storagesurface. In particular, the radiation-emitting component can have aradiation exit surface for the electromagnetic radiation generated inthe active region. Said exit surface can be at least a part of an outersurface of the storage element. In this case, the outer surface can bethe storage surface. This can mean that articles which can be arrangedon the storage surface can be illuminated from the storage surface. Asan alternative or in addition, the outer surface can for example also bea different side of the storage element than the storage surface. As analternative or in addition, the exit surface can also be an outersurface arranged on a side remote from the storage surface. This canmean that regions or articles which are situated on the side remote fromthe storage surface can be illuminated.

In a further embodiment, the storage element has a top side, anunderside and side surfaces. In this case, the organicradiation-emitting component can be fitted on at least one of the topsides, the underside and the side surfaces.

In a further embodiment, a holding apparatus has for example a rail, aholding bracket, a carrying arm, a strut, a post, a furniture wall or acombination thereof. In particular, the holding apparatus can also havea plurality of the elements mentioned or a combination thereof.Furthermore, a holding apparatus can also have a radiation-emittingcomponent.

In a further embodiment, the storage element has holding elements bymeans of which the storage element can be mounted onto the holdingapparatus. In one embodiment, “can be mounted” can mean that the storageelement can be fixed rigidly to the holding apparatus. Merely by way ofexample, for instance a screw, clamping or plug connection and alsohanging or adhesive bonding shall be mentioned here for a rigid fixing.As an alternative or in addition, “can be mounted” can also mean thatthe storage element is arranged at the holding apparatus in such a waythat it is fixed non-rigidly. Merely by way of example, it shall bementioned in this regard for instance that the storage element can beplaced on the holding apparatus or a part of the holding apparatus. Theholding elements can comprise or be in particular for example hooks,eyes, rails, openings, holes, threads or bearing surfaces orcombinations thereof.

In a further embodiment, the storage element has at least two electricalcontacts for making electrical contact with the radiation-emittingcomponent. In this case, the at least two electrical contacts canpreferably be suitable for making contact with the first and/or thesecond electrode. Particularly preferably, contact is made with thefirst and the second electrode or partial regions of the first and/orsecond electrode by different electrical contacts. Furthermore, anelectrical line may be necessary for electrically contact-connecting anelectrical contact to an electrode or a partial region of a structuredelectrode. In this case, the electrical contacts can be embodied forexample in strip-shaped, round or n-gonal fashion, where n is an integergreater than or equal to 3.

In one preferred embodiment, the holding elements comprise theelectrical contacts. As a result, for example the retention of thestorage element and the electrical contact-connection of theradiation-emitting component can be realized in a space-saving, compactand/or esthetically pleasing manner.

In a further embodiment, the holding apparatus has mount parts ontowhich the storage element can be mounted onto the holding apparatus bymeans of the holding elements of said storage element. In this case, themount parts can comprise or be for example hooks, eyes, rails, backingsurfaces, pegs, screw, plug or clamping connections or angle connectorsor combinations thereof.

In a further embodiment, the holding apparatus has at least twoelectrical lead contacts for making electrical contact with the organicradiation-emitting component, wherein the electrical contacts of thestorage element are electrically connected to the electrical leadcontacts when the storage furniture is constructed or assembled.Particularly preferably, the mount parts comprise the electrical leadcontacts.

In further embodiments, the electrical contacts and the electrical leadcontacts can be embodied for example as mutually matching parts of plug,clamping or screw connections. In particular a reliable and stableelectrically conductive contact-connection of the radiation-emittingcomponent can thereby be made possible. As an alternative, theelectrical contacts and/or the electrical lead contacts can also beembodied as plane contact surfaces or have spring elements.

In a further embodiment, the storage element can have an n-gonal form,where n is an integer greater than or equal to 3. Particularlypreferably, the storage element can have a square or rectangular form.Furthermore, the form can also be for example circular or elliptical ora combination of the forms mentioned. In particular, the storage surfaceof the storage element can have one of the forms mentioned or acombination thereof, in this case particularly preferably for example asquare or rectangular form with rounded corners. In this case, a holdingelement and/or an electrical contact can be arranged in each or at leastone corner of the storage element or the storage surface. In particular,the storage furniture can have a holding apparatus, or becontact-connected by a holding apparatus, in each or at least one cornerof the storage element or the storage surface.

In particular, the holding apparatus can be suitable for holding thestorage element in such a way that at least partial regions of thestorage surface are parallel to a floor above which the storage elementcan be arranged. By way of example, for this purpose the storagefurniture can be placeable or installable on the floor. As analternative or in addition, the holding apparatus can be suitable forholding the storage element in such a way that at least partial regionsof the storage surface are substantially perpendicular to a wall at orin front of which the storage furniture can be mounted or installed. Inthis case, “substantially perpendicular” can mean that the storagesurface should be at such an angle with respect to the wall thatarticles arranged on the storage surface can remain on the latter. Sinceit may be possible that the wall is not entirely parallel to thedirection of gravity, it may therefore be necessary for the anglebetween the wall and the storage surface to deviate from 90 degrees to acomparable extent.

In a further embodiment, the storage furniture has a plurality ofstorage elements. Such storage furniture can be for example shelving ora cupboard having a plurality of storage elements. In particular, it canbe possible in this case that a radiation-emitting component of onestorage element can illuminate the storage surface of another storageelement, arranged underneath for example. In this case, the plurality ofstorage elements can be arranged in such a way that the storage surfacesof the respective storage elements are arranged parallel to one another.

Furthermore, the storage element can form or be comprised by a base ofstorage furniture. As a result, it can be possible for example thatarticles which are positioned below or laterally offset with respect tothe storage furniture can be illuminated by the radiation-emittingcomponent.

A storage element can be, purely by way of example, an insert base forshelving, a cupboard or a chest of drawers, or else a drawer base, acupboard base or a wall-mountable storage shelf. In this respect,storage furniture can be for example shelving, a cupboard, a chest ofdrawers, a drawer, a kitchen cabinet, in particular a wall-mountableupper kitchen cabinet, bath furniture or a bookcase.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as adefinition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should bemade to the appended claims. It should be further understood that thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwiseindicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate thestructures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis ofexemplary embodiments and the associated figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional illustration of an organic layerstack between a first and a second electrode in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment,

FIG. 2A shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 2B shows a schematic perspective illustration of an electrode inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 2C shows a schematic sectional illustration along the line A-A′ inFIG. 2B,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a thin-filmencapsulation,

FIG. 4A shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 4B shows a schematic plan view of the substrate of the luminousmeans in accordance with FIG. 4A,

FIG. 4C shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 4D shows a schematic plan view of the substrate of a luminous meansin accordance with FIG. 4C,

FIG. 5A shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 5B shows a schematic illustration of the construction of alight-transmissive luminous means,

FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a door in accordance withone exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a display window inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective front view of a motor vehicle inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a museum room inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 10 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a room with a roomdivider in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 12A shows a schematic sectional illustration of a display with aluminous means in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 12B shows a schematic plan view of a television set,

FIG. 13A shows a schematic perspective illustration of shelving inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 13B shows an enlarged excerpt from FIG. 13A,

FIG. 14 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a reflective displayin accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 15 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 16 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 17A shows a schematic sectional illustration of a thin-filmencapsulation in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 17B shows a schematic sectional illustration of a reflectiveencapsulation in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 17C shows a schematic sectional illustration through a thin-filmencapsulation in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 18A shows a schematic perspective illustration of a motor vehiclemirror in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 18B shows a schematic perspective illustration of the motor vehiclemirror in accordance in FIG. 18A,

FIG. 19 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a multi-partmirror in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 20 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a multi-partmirror in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 21 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a search mirror inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 22 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a make-up mirrorin accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 23 shows a schematic plan view of a decorative element inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 24 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a mirror inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 25 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a flexible luminousmeans in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 26 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a flexible luminousmeans in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 27 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 28A shows a schematic plan view of a window with a louver inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 28B shows a schematic sectional illustration through a slat of thelouver in FIG. 28A,

FIG. 29A shows a schematic view of a window covered by a curtain inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 29B shows the curtain in accordance with FIG. 29A in a schematicsectional illustration,

FIG. 29C shows a schematic sectional illustration of a curtain inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 30 shows a schematic view of a window with a curtain in accordancewith a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 31 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 32 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an item offurniture in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 33 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a flexibleluminous means in accordance with one exemplary embodiment in arolled-up state,

FIG. 34A shows a schematic sectional illustration of an illuminationdevice in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 34B shows a schematic sectional illustration of the illuminationdevice in FIG. 34A along the sectional line A-A′,

FIG. 35A shows a schematic plan view of a luminous means in accordancewith one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 35B shows a schematic sectional illustration of the luminous meansin accordance with FIG. 35A along the sectional line A-A′,

FIG. 35C shows a schematic plan view of a multicolored luminous means inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 36 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 37 shows a further schematic sectional illustration of amulticolored luminous means in accordance with a further exemplaryembodiment,

FIG. 38 shows a schematic plan view of first and second electrodes inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment of a multicoloredluminous means,

FIG. 39 shows a schematic plan view of a multicolored luminous means inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 40A shows a schematic plan view of an illumination device inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 40B shows a schematic enlargement of an excerpt from FIG. 40A,

FIG. 41 shows a schematic plan view of a luminous means in accordancewith a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 42 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 43 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a further luminousmeans in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 44 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a luminous means in aschematic plan view,

FIG. 45 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 46 shows the luminous means in accordance with FIG. 45 in aschematic perspective illustration,

FIG. 47 shows a schematic illustration of the CIE standard chromaticitydiagram,

FIG. 48A shows a schematic illustration of a flirtation indicator inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment having a multicolored luminousmeans,

FIG. 48B shows a schematic illustration of the luminous means inaccordance with FIG. 48A together with a controller,

FIG. 49 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 50 schematically shows a further possibility for the use of amulticolored luminous means,

FIG. 51 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the use ofmulticolored luminous means,

FIG. 52 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a luminous meansin accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 53 shows a schematic illustration of a connection location inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment, such as can be used forinstance in the case of the luminous means in FIG. 52,

FIG. 54 shows a further schematic perspective illustration of aconnection location in accordance with one exemplary embodiment, such ascan be used in the case of FIG. 52,

FIG. 55 shows a schematic plan view of a connection location such as canbe used in the case of the luminous means of the exemplary embodiment inFIG. 52,

FIG. 56 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a luminous meansin accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 57 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a luminous meansin accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 58 shows a schematic plan view of a connection location inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment such as can be used in the caseof the luminous means in FIG. 57,

FIG. 59 shows a further schematic plan view of a connection location inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment such as can be used in the caseof the luminous means in FIG. 57,

FIG. 60 shows a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of theconnection location such as can be used in the case of the luminousmeans in FIG. 55,

FIG. 61 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a luminous meansin accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 62A shows a further schematic perspective illustration of aluminous means in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 62B schematically shows an enlarged excerpt from FIG. 62A,

FIG. 63A shows a schematic plan view of a luminous means in accordancewith a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 63B shows a schematic enlargement of an excerpt from a connectionlocation of the luminous means in accordance with FIG. 63A,

FIG. 64 shows a schematic plan view of an illumination device inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIGS. 65 and 66 shows schematic perspective illustrations of anillumination device in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIGS. 65 and 67 shows schematic illustrations of a further illuminationdevice in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 68 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 69 shows a schematic illustration of a schematic circuit diagram inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 70 shows a further schematic circuit diagram in accordance with afurther exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 71 shows a schematic illustration of an illumination device inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 72 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 73 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 74 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 75 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a displayapparatus in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 76 shows a schematic plan view of a coarse-grained display inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 77 shows a schematic view of a bathroom in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment,

FIG. 78 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice comprising a luminous means and a second light source inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 79 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice comprising a luminous means and a second light source inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 80A shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 80B shows a schematic sectional illustration of the illuminationdevice in FIG. 80A,

FIG. 81 shows a schematic plan view of an illumination device inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 82 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice comprising a luminous means and a second light source inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 83 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice comprising a luminous means and a second light source inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIGS. 84A to 84C shows schematic illustrations of a storage element andstorage furniture in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 85 shows a schematic illustration of a storage element inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 86 shows a schematic illustration of a storage element inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 87 shows a schematic illustration of a storage element inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 88 shows a schematic illustration of storage furniture inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

FIGS. 89A to 89E shows schematic illustrations of storage furniture inaccordance with further exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the exemplary embodiments and figures, identical or identicallyacting constituent parts are in each case provided with the samereference symbols. The elements illustrated should not be regarded astrue to scale; rather, individual elements may be illustrated with anexaggerated size for the sake of a better understanding.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional illustration of an organic layerstack 4 between a first electrode 2 and a second electrode 3 inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment. The first electrode isembodied as transmissive to visible light and comprises a TCO(transparent conductive oxide), for example ITO (indium tin oxide).Furthermore, the first electrode 2 serves as an anode. The secondelectrode 3 serves as a cathode in the present case. It comprises analuminum or silver, for example.

An organic layer stack 4 having the following layers is applied on thefirst electrode 2, wherein the order of the layers that is presentedbelow corresponds to their order within the organic layer stack startingfrom the cathode: a 1-TNATA layer(1-TNATA=4,4′,4″-tris(N(naphth-1-yl)-N-phenylamino)triphenylamine)having a thickness of approximately 40 nm, an sp-TAD layer(spTAD=2,2′,7,7′-diphenylamino-spiro-9,9′-bifluorene) having a thicknessof approximately 20 nm, SEB-010:SEB020 layer having a thickness ofapproximately 10 nm, a TMM-004:Ir(ppy)3(15%) layer(Irppy=fac-tris(2-phenylpyridyl)iridium complex) having a thickness ofapproximately 10 nm and TMM-04:TER012 layer having a thickness ofapproximately 30 nm. The present organic layer stack is suitable foremitting white light.

FIG. 2A shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment. The luminous means comprises asubstrate 1 having a first main surface 101, to which the firstelectrode 2 is applied within an active region 5 of the substrate 1.Arranged on the first electrode 2 is an organic layer stack 4 having atleast one layer 401 suitable for generating light, the second electrode3 being applied to said stack. In the present case, the first electrode2 on the substrate 1 is the anode and the second electrode 3 on theorganic layer stack 4 is the cathode. The organic layer stack 4 has, onits outer side facing the cathode, a doped layer 402 comprising a dopant410 that functions as an electron donor. The injection of electrons fromthe cathode into the organic layer stack is advantageously increasedthereby. By way of example, cesium, barium or lithium fluoride can beused as dopant 410.

Furthermore, the luminous means in accordance with FIG. 2A comprises athin-film encapsulation 6. The active region 5 with the organic layerstack 4 is arranged within the thin-film encapsulation 6. The thin-filmencapsulation 6 is applied directly to the second electrode 3. Athin-film encapsulation such as can be used for example in the case ofthe luminous means in FIG. 2A is described for example in conjunctionwith FIG. 3.

The luminous means in accordance with FIG. 2A is embodied astransmissive to visible light, in particular to a light generated by theorganic layer stack 4. For this purpose, the substrate 1 is embodied astransmissive to visible light. It can for example comprise glass or aplastic or consist thereof. By way of example, the substrate used can bea thin glass lamina or a flexible plastic film which comprises orconsists of one of the plastic materials presented in the general partof the description.

The first electrode 2 on the substrate is also embodied as transmissiveto visible light. The first electrode 2 can for example consist of orcomprise a TCO. The organic material of the organic layer stack 4 isgenerally embodied as transmissive to visible light. In particular, inthe present case the doped layer is embodied as transmissive to visiblelight. The organic layer stack 4 can comprise for example the layers ofthe organic layer stack in FIG. 1. The second electrode 3 is likewiseembodied as transmissive to visible light, in particular to a lightgenerated by the organic layer stack 4. The second electrode 3 ispreferably embodied as the cathode. The latter can comprise a metalliclayer, for example, which contains aluminum or silver and has athickness of approximately 30 nm.

Furthermore, an electrode 2, 3 embodied as transmissive to visible lightcan comprise a conductive organic material or consist thereof. In thiscase, by way of example, PEDOT:PSS is suitable as organic electrodematerial. In this case, PEDOT:PSS can form the anode, for example. Inthe case of a suitable conductivity doping, however, it is also possiblefor the cathode to consist of PEDOT:PSS or to contain this material.

Should the conductivity of the electrode material, in particular of theorganic material, not suffice to inject enough charge carriers into theorganic layer stack, then thin metal tracks can be arranged between theelectrode and the organic layer stack.

FIG. 2B shows a schematic perspective illustration of an electrode 2 inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment, which has a layer comprisingorganic conductive material and thin metal tracks 201 which are arrangedbetween the organic electrode layer 202 and the organic layer stack 4.FIG. 2C shows a schematic sectional illustration along the line AA′ inFIG. 2B.

The metal tracks 201 are embodied in the form of a grid in the case ofthe present exemplary embodiment. The thickness of the metal tracks ispreferably a few μm. The distance between directly adjacent grid pointsis in this case preferably between 1 mm and 100 mm, inclusive of thelimits.

Furthermore, the electrically conductive tracks 201 have a multilayerconstruction, for example comprising three metallic tracks, as shown inFIG. 2C. The two outer tracks 2011, 2012 are protective layers for themiddle layer 2013, for instance against corrosion. They can for examplecomprise chromium, molybdenum, copper or silver or consist of one ofthese materials. The middle layer 2013 of the multilayer constructioncan for example comprise aluminum or consist of aluminum.

In this case, the multilayer construction has a thickness of preferablyat least 50 nm and at most 100 nm.

Furthermore, the thin-film encapsulation 6 of the luminous means inaccordance with FIG. 2A is also embodied as transmissive to visiblelight, in particular to a light generated by the organic layer stack 4.A schematic sectional illustration through a thin-film encapsulation 6such as can be used for example in accordance with FIG. 2A is shown inFIG. 3. The thin-film encapsulation 6 comprises here in each case twofirst barrier layers 601, which comprise silicon oxide or consist ofsilicon oxide, and two second barrier layers 602, which comprise siliconnitride or consist of silicon nitride. In this case, the first barrierlayers 601 and the second barrier layers 602 of the thin-filmencapsulation 6 are arranged alternately with regard to their materialcomposition. The thin-film encapsulation 6 preferably has a thickness ofbetween 0.5 and 5 μm, inclusive of the limits.

The barrier layers can for example be vapor-deposited, sputtered ordeposited by means of a plasma-enhanced process such as chemical vapordeposition (CVD) on the second electrode. The barrier layers preferablyhave a thickness of in each case at least 30 nm to at most 300 nm.Particularly preferably, an individual barrier layer is approximately100 nm thick. Preferably, a thin-film encapsulation comprises at leasttwo to at most eight barrier layers. Typically, the thin-filmencapsulation comprises three or four barrier layers.

The thin-film encapsulation can furthermore comprise polymer interlayerssuch as are described further below in the text with reference to FIG.17.

Furthermore, a protective lacquer layer 603 is applied to the barrierlayers. The protective lacquer layer 603 can be applied for example bymeans of spin-coating, spraying, blade coating, screen-printing orsimilar techniques. After application, the protective lacquer layer 603is cured by supplying heat or UV radiation. Suitable materials for theprotective lacquer layer 603 include acrylates, polacrylates, polyimidesand similar materials. The thickness of the protective lacquer layer isfor example between at least 30 and at most 40 μm.

The luminous means in FIG. 2A is suitable for emitting lightsimultaneously from a top side and from an underside lying opposite thetop side, since the light generated in the organic layer stack 4, on theway to the top side and to the underside, only passes through elementswhich are embodied as transmissive to visible light.

FIG. 4A shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment. The luminous means inaccordance with FIG. 4A has a substrate 1 having an active region 5, towhich a first electrode 2 is applied. Arranged on the first electrode 2is an organic layer stack 4 having at least one layer 401 suitable forgenerating light. A further, second electrode 3 is arranged on theorganic layer stack 4. The substrate, the first electrode and the secondelectrode and also the organic layer stack are in the present caseembodied as transmissive to visible light, in particular to a lightgenerated by the organic layer stack 4, as already described for examplewith reference to FIG. 2A.

The active region 5 of the substrate 1, on which the organic layer stack4 is arranged between the first 2 and the second 3 electrode, issurrounded by a fixing region. Within the fixing region 8, the substrate1 comprises electrically conductive leads 9 which are electricallyconductively connected to the first electrode 2 and the second electrode3. The leads 9 to the first electrode 2 can be for example structures ofthe first electrode 2 which are lengthened right into the fixing region8. In this case, the electrical leads 9 generally comprise the samematerial as the first electrode 2. In the present case, the leads 9 tothe second electrode 3 are electrically conductively connected to afurther electrode structure 901, which is electrically insulated fromthe first electrode 2, within the active region 5 of the substrate 1,for example by the leads 9 likewise being formed by lengthening of thefurther electrode structure 901 into the fixing region 8. The secondelectrode 3 on the organic layer stack 4 is electrically conductivelyconnected to the further electrode structure 901 for example by means ofa plated-through hole 900.

Within the fixing region 8, an adhesive layer 610 is arranged above theelectrical leads 9, said adhesive layer being used to fix a cap, servingas encapsulation 6, on the substrate. The cap has a cavity above theactive region 5 in which the active layer stack 4 is arranged. In thepresent case, the cap is not in direct contact with the second electrode3. Furthermore, the cap, like the substrate 1, the first electrode 2 andthe second electrode 3 and also the organic layer stack 4, is likewiseembodied as transmissive to visible light, in particular to a lightgenerated by the organic layer stack 4. It can be formed for examplefrom glass or one of the light-transmissive plastics already mentionedin connection with the substrate 1 in the general part of thedescription.

A getter layer 611 is applied on the inner side of the cap facing theorganic layer stack, said getter layer being embodied as transmissive tovisible light. By way of example, one of the materials described abovecan be used as getter material. In particular, particles of a gettermaterial—for example calcium oxide—which are embedded into a transparentmatrix are suitable for a transparent getter layer 611. By way ofexample, solvent-free, curable plastic materials are suitable for thematrix. The getter layer 611 preferably has a thickness of at most 300μm, particularly preferably between at least 50 and at most 100 μm.

The electrical leads 9 on the substrate 1 are electrically conductivelyconnected to a controller 11 in the present case.

FIG. 4B shows a schematic plan view of the substrate 1 in accordancewith FIG. 4A. The first electrode 2 and the further electrode structure901 are arranged within the active region 5. Electrical leads 9 are ineach case situated laterally with respect to the active region 5 withinthe fixing region 8, said electrical leads being embodied in grid-typefashion in the present case. The electrical leads on one side of thesubstrate 1 are continuations of the further electrode structure 901,while the electrical leads 9 on the other side of the substrate arecontinuations of the first electrode 2. The electrical leads in thepresent case comprise a TCO, for example ITO.

Furthermore, it is also possible for the electrical leads 9 to comprisea metal or to consist thereof. By way of example, the leads 9 contain orconsist of at least one of the following materials or materialcombinations: Cr/Al/Cr, Cu/Cr, Mo/Al/Mo; Cr, Cu, Al, Ag, Au, Pt.

If the electrical leads 9 comprise a metal, then the degree of fillingof the grid is generally chosen to be so low that the electrical leadsare not perceived by an observer. In this way, the electrical leads 9can advantageously be embodied as transmissive to visible light. In thiscase, the degree of filling of the grid is preferably less than 10%,particularly preferably less than 2%.

The electrical leads 9 are electrically conductively connected toelectrical connection locations 70, in the present case pins 75, whichare arranged laterally with respect to the substrate 1. By means of thepins 75, the luminous means can be electrically contact-connected to asocket or, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, be connected to the controller 11.

FIG. 4C shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means 100in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4D shows aschematic plan view of the substrate of the luminous means in accordancewith FIG. 4C. The luminous means 100 corresponds to the luminous meansin FIGS. 4A and 4B apart from the differences described below.

In contrast to the luminous means in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the organic layerstack 4 has no plated-through hole. Furthermore, the substrate comprisesno further electrode structure.

Instead, the first electrode 2 is embodied over the whole area below theorganic layer stack 4 within the active region 5 on the substrate 1.Electrical leads 9 which are electrically conductively connected to thefirst electrode 2 are arranged on one side of the active region 5 withinthe fixing region. These electrical leads 9 can be for example continuedstructures of the first electrode 2. On the other side, electrical leads9 which are not electrically connected to the first electrode 2 arefitted on the substrate 1. Furthermore, the electrical leads on thisside comprise a bonding pad 903, on which is arranged a bonding wire 902that is electrically conductively connected to the second electrode 3.

FIG. 5A shows a schematic illustration through a luminous means 100 inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment. The luminous means 100comprises a window glazing as substrate 1. A first electrode 2 isapplied on the substrate, and an organic layer stack 4 having at leastone layer 401 suitable for generating light is furthermore applied tosaid first electrode. The organic layer stack 4 can be for example alayer stack 4 such as has already been described with reference toFIG. 1. A second electrode 3 is applied to the organic layer stack 4. Asencapsulation 6, the luminous means in accordance with FIG. 5A comprisesa second window glazing, which is adhesively bonded onto the secondelectrode 3 by means of an adhesive layer 610. A suitable adhesive is atransparent adhesive, for example. This adhesive is preferably likewiseembodied as transmissive to visible light. Examples of suitableadhesives include Nagase or Three-Bond.

Substrate 1, electrodes 2, 3, encapsulation 6, organic layer stack 4 andadhesive layer 610 are embodied as transmissive to visible light. Theluminous means 100 is therefore suitable for emitting light from its topside 100A and its underside 100B. Furthermore, an observer can seethrough the luminous means 100 when it is not in operation. The luminousmeans is therefore suitable for being used as glazing for example indoors, windows, room dividers, furniture or the like, wherein theglazing can serve as an illumination source.

FIG. 5B shows a schematic illustration of the construction of a luminousmeans 100 which is embodied such that it is substantially transmissiveto visible light and is integrated into the glazing. In the presentcase, a glass pane having an active region 5, to which a first electrode2 is applied, serves as the substrate 1. In the present case, theelectrode is likewise embodied as transmissive to visible light andcomprises a TCO, for example ITO. In order to represent specific forms,for example a lettering or a logo, the first electrode 2 is structuredin accordance with the desired form, in the present case in thelettering “Info 1”.

Within the active region, an organic layer stack 4, for example such ashas already been described in FIG. 1, is applied to the first electrode.A second electrode 3, which is likewise transmissive to visible lightand in the present case serves as a cathode, is applied to the organiclayer stack. The second electrode 3 is applied to the organic layerstack 4 over the whole area. It is furthermore also conceivable,however, for the first electrode 2 to be applied to the substrate overthe whole area and for the second electrode 3 to be applied to theorganic layer stack 4 in the form which is intended to embody theluminous surface of the luminous means. A second glass pane asencapsulation 6 is applied to the second electrode 3. In this case, thedimensions of the encapsulation 6 are preferably chosen to be identicalto the dimensions of the substrate 1. This gives rise to a glazinghaving a luminous means 100 whose luminous surface is embodied in thedesired manner, for example in the form of a lettering or a logo.

The second glass pane, serving as encapsulation 6, can be fixed on thesubstrate for example by means of an adhesive layer 610 that istransmissive to visible light. In this case, the adhesive layer 610 canbe applied to the substrate and to the second glass pane over the wholearea, or only within a fixing region 8 outside the active region 5.

Contact can be made with the active region 5 for example by means ofelectrically conductive leads 9 such as have been described withreference to FIGS. 4A to 4D.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a door 300 in accordancewith one exemplary embodiment. The door 300 has two door leaves 301embodied as transmissive to visible light. They comprise glass forexample or are formed from glass. A luminous means 100 embodied astransmissive to visible light is integrated into each door leaf 301.With the aid of the luminous means 100, which in the present case eachhave a luminous surface that respectively forms an inscription, it ispossible to integrate luminous signs in doors 300. Such doors 300 havingluminous signs can be used for example in museums, conference centers,hotels or the like. In the present case, the luminous means can eitherbe integrated into the door 300, as already described with reference toFIGS. 5A and 5B, or the luminous means 100 can also be flexible luminousmeans which are embodied as transmissive to visible light and are fittedon the door by means of an adhesive layer, for example. A flexibleluminous means suitable for being adhesively attached is described forexample in conjunction with FIG. 9.

If the luminous means 100 are integrated into the door 300, thenelectrical leads 9 such as have already been described for example inconjunction with FIGS. 4A to 4D can be applied on the substrate 1, thatis to say the window glazing on which the first electrode 2 is applied.The electrical leads 9 can be electrically conductively connected forexample to connection locations 70 which are embodied as parts of thedoor hinges, wherein the electrically conductive parts run within thedoor hinges. For their part, the door hinges can be connected toelectrical cables running within the door frame.

Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows emergency lighting 395, which comprises aluminous means 100 described here or an illumination device 1000described here. The emergency lighting 395 is activated in the event ofa power failure, for example, and comprises an autonomous power supplyor is supplied with the necessary operating current by an emergencypower unit. The luminous means 100 and illumination devices 1000described here are particularly well suited to use as emergency lightingsince they can generate light of sufficient brightness with a relativelylow power consumption.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a display window inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment comprising four luminous means100 which are embodied as transmissive to visible light. With theluminous means it is possible to display trade names “Trademark 1” and“Trademark 2” and logos “Logo 1” and “Logo 2”. As already described inconnection with FIGS. 5A and 5B, the luminous means 100 can be luminousmeans which are integrated into the glazing of the display window, or aflexible luminous means which is adhesively bonded onto the inner sideof the glazing by means of an adhesive layer.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic front view of a motor vehicle 310 in accordancewith one exemplary embodiment. In this case, two luminous means 100 areintegrated into a window 20, for example the windshield, said luminousmeans being embodied as transmissive to visible light and being suitablefor representing information “Info 1” and “Info 2” for the driver. As analternative, it is also possible—as already described in connection withFIGS. 7 and 6—for the two luminous means 100 to be embodied in flexiblefashion and to be adhesively bonded onto the windshield from inside.

FIG. 8 furthermore shows motor vehicle interior lighting 396. The motorvehicle interior lighting is formed for example by a luminous means 100described here or an illumination device 1000 described here.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a museum room, theceiling elements 320 of which comprise a glazing. The glazing of aceiling element has, over part of the area or over the whole area, aluminous means 100 or an illumination device 1000 which is transmissiveto visible light. The glazing can be for example a glazing having anintegrated luminous means 100 such as has already been described withreference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. As an alternative, the luminous means canalso be applied to the inner side of the glazing, for example byadhesive bonding.

The glazing of the ceiling elements of the museum room in accordancewith FIG. 9 is therefore suitable for enabling the room to beilluminated by means of daylight during the day. Under poor lightconditions, for example during the night, the luminous means 100 of theglazing can be used as additional light sources for the room.

The glazing of the ceiling elements of the museum room in FIG. 9 canfurthermore be configured in milky fashion. For this purpose, either theglazing serving as substrate or the glazing serving as encapsulation orboth is or are embodied in milky fashion.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means 100in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. In the case of the luminousmeans 100 in accordance with FIG. 10, encapsulation 6 and substrate 1are embodied as glazing, as for example in the case of the luminousmeans in accordance with FIGS. 5A and 5B. Such a glazing can serve forexample as a window pane of a window 20, but also of a door 300 or of anitem or furniture. During the day, such a glazing can be used as awindow 20, that is to say that visible light from outside can penetrateinto the room unhindered. At night, the luminous means 100 can beactivated, such that the glazing serves as an illumination source forthe room. Furthermore, on the outer side of the glazing a mirroredlouver 22 is provided which serves for protecting the private sphere andwhich prevents uninvited looks from outside from being able topenetrate. In addition, the mirrored louver 22 is suitable forreflecting light emitted by the luminous means 100. The degree ofutilization of the light emitted by the luminous means 100 isadvantageously increased on account of the back-reflection by themirrored louver 22. Furthermore, it is also possible for the louver 22to be a traditional louver or a PDLC shutter. Other types of glass whichcan be darkened by applying an electrical voltage are also appropriatein addition to a PDLC shutter.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a room with a roomdivider in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. The room divider330 has two room divider elements 331 comprising a glazing within aframe, wherein the glazing comprises a luminous means 100 embodied astransmissive to visible light. The luminous means 100 is eitherintegrated into the glazing, as described for example in conjunctionwith FIGS. 5A and 5B, or adhesively bonded onto the glazing. On accountof their illumination function, the room divider elements 331 canadvantageously be used to illuminate room regions which are separated bythe room divider.

In the present case, the room divider 330 is constructed in modularfashion. It comprises two room divider elements 331, which can beconnected to one another by plug connections. For this purpose, theframe of the room divider element comprises a sleeve 332 on one of itsside surfaces, said sleeve being embodied for example in the manner of acylinder. That side surface of the frame which lies opposite the sidesurface with the sleeve 332 is provided with pins 333 embodied in such away that they can be fitted into the sleeves 332. By inserting the pinsof one room divider element into the sleeves of a further room dividerelement, it is possible for two room divider elements 331 respectivelyto be connected to one another. In this case, in particular, anelectrical connection of the room divider elements 331 by means of thesleeves 332 and the pins 333 is also possible. The room divider 330forms a large-area illumination device.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a display inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment. The display 335 can be forexample the display of a television, of an LCD screen, of an OLEDscreen, or of a plasma screen. The front glass pane of the display isused as a substrate 1 for a luminous means embodied as transmissive tovisible light. The first electrode 2 is applied to the front glass pane,which first electrode comprises a TCO and is therefore embodied astransmissive to visible light. An organic layer stack 4 such as has beendescribed for example with reference to FIG. 1 is applied on the firstelectrode 2. A second electrode 3, in the present case likewisecomprising a TCO, is applied to said organic layer stack.

By way of example, one of the following TCO materials is particularlysuitable as TCO for the cathode: ITO, ATO, zinc oxide.

A further glass plate as encapsulation 6 is applied to the secondelectrode 3. It can be adhesively bonded onto the second electrode 3 bymeans of an adhesive layer 610, for example. In the present case, theorganic layers are embodied in such a way that the emission from theorganic layer stack is predominantly effected through the encapsulatingglass pane. In the present case, the luminous means 100 integrated intothe front pane of the display 335 can be used as an illumination sourcein the switched-off state of the display. For this purpose, the luminousmeans is preferably embodied in dimmable fashion. In the switched-offstate of the luminous means, the content of the display 335 can beperceived by an observer since the luminous means is embodied astransmissive to visible light.

FIG. 12B shows a schematic plan view of a television set 336 comprisinga display 335 such as has been described in conjunction with FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A shows a schematic perspective illustration of shelving 340 inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment. FIG. 13B shows an excerpt fromFIG. 13A. The shelving 340 comprises two side parts having rods 83 whichare embodied as hollow in the interior and comprise electrical cables.The side parts having the rods 83 form a rod system such as is alsodescribed with reference to FIG. 68, for example. Said rods 83 areprovided for carrying shelves 341 of the shelving. For this purpose, theshelves 341 of the shelving each comprise mounts 342 which arecorrespondingly shaped at the sides. In the present case, in a mannercorresponding to the rods of the side parts of the shelving, said mountsare embodied after the manner of a cut-open cylinder. However, it isalso conceivable for the rods 83 and the mounts 342 to be embodied incornered fashion. The shelves 341 of the shelving in the present casecomprise a frame 343 into which is introduced a glazing comprising aluminous means 100 transmissive to visible light. For making electricalcontact, the mounts 342 of the shelves of the shelving comprise in thepresent case a pin 71 which is inserted into an electrically conductivecutout 73 within the rods 83, as illustrated in FIG. 13B. The rods 83 ofthe side parts are preferably embodied in hollow fashion. Thus, thecables used for making contact with the plugs can be guided within therods. Shelves of shelving as exhibited by the shelving 340 in accordancewith FIG. 13B can for example also be used in display cabinets or otheritems of furniture and storage furniture.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a reflective display335. A reflective display 335 comprises a reflective element 337, onwhich pixels 338 are arranged, on its rear side. Reflective displays 335do not require backlighting, but rather reflect ambient light on accountof the reflective element 337 in such a way that the display content canbe represented. Therefore, reflective displays 335 are dependent on theambient light. They can no longer be read in the dark. A luminous meanstransmissive to visible light, as described with reference to FIG. 5A,for example, is applied to the radiation-emitting front side 335A of thereflective display 335. Said luminous means is embodied in the presentcase in such a way that it predominantly emits radiation in thedirection of the reflective element. For better color rendering, theluminous means 100 can be slightly colored, for example in the color ofa light magenta. For this purpose, by way of example, the encapsulation6 or the substrate 1 or both is or are colored in the desired color. Theluminous means is preferably fitted with an index matching material onthe front side 335 a of the reflective display in order to avoidreflections. If the luminous means can be varied in color, for examplein such a way that the color space RGB is covered, and if the reflectivedisplay 335 can furthermore be switched rapidly enough, time-sequentialoperation in RGB is also possible. During this time-sequentialoperation, the display is preferably operated with frequencies of atleast 70 Hz, particularly preferably at least 100 Hz.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means 100in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. The electrodes 2, 3, thesubstrate 1, the encapsulation 6 and the organic layer stack 4 areembodied as transmissive to visible light, in particular to the lightgenerated by the organic layer stack 4. A reflective element 337, whichis a reflective layer sequence in the present case, is applied to theouter side of the substrate 1, which can be formed by a glass plate, forexample. The reflective layer sequence comprises a copper layer 337 b, asilver layer 337 a and a protective lacquer layer 337 c, wherein thesilver layer 337 a is applied to the substrate 1, the copper layer 337 bis applied to that side of the silver layer 337 a which is remote fromthe substrate, and the protective lacquer layer is applied to the copperlayer 337 b. Since the reflective layer sequence is formed along theunderside 100 b of the luminous means 100, the luminous means 100 can nolonger emit light from the underside, but rather only from its top side100 a. Furthermore, the reflective element reflects light that passesthrough the first electrode 2 and the substrate 1 in the direction ofthe top side 100 a of the luminous means 100.

As an alternative to the above-described layer sequence comprising asilver layer, a copper layer and a protective lacquer layer, thereflective element 337 used can also be for example a dielectric mirrorwhich like the layer sequence above is applied to the outer side of thesubstrate.

The reflective element 337, such as a reflective layer sequence or adielectric mirror, can for example furthermore be applied on the outerside of the encapsulation 6 or be applied between substrate 1 and firstelectrode 2 and between encapsulation 6 and second electrode 3. If thereflective element is arranged on the outer side of the encapsulation 6or between encapsulation 6 and second electrode 3, then the luminousmeans 100 emits light from its underside 100 b.

A luminous means 100 such as is illustrated in FIG. 15 permits, inparticular, this luminous means to serve as a mirror when the luminousmeans is deactivated and as an illumination source during the operationof the luminous means 100. In the case of such a luminous means 100, theentire light-emitting front side 100 a can either serve as illuminationor serve as a mirror. Furthermore, it is also possible for the entirelight-emitting front side 100 a to serve as illumination and as amirror. Furthermore, the light-emitting front side 100 a can also bedivided into regions, such that one part of the light-emitting frontside 100 a serves as a mirror and a further part serves as anillumination source.

By way of example, the luminous means can, however, also be embodied insuch a way that it emits light both from its front side 100 a and fromits rear side 100 b. Using the so-called cavity effect, for example, itis possible for light having different light properties to emerge fromdifferent sides of the luminous means in this case. A luminous means ofthis type is described for example in German patent application102006046196.7, the disclosure content of which is hereby expresslyincorporated by reference.

FIG. 16 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a luminous means 100in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment. The followingelements of the luminous means 100 are embodied as transmissive tovisible light: encapsulation 6, substrate 1, first electrode 2 andorganic layer stack 4. The substrate 1 used can be for example a glassplate or a plastic film which is embodied as transmissive to visiblelight.

The first electrode 2 can be formed from a TCO, for example.

The organic layer stack 4 can be a layer stack such as has already beendescribed with reference to FIG. 1.

The encapsulation 6 can be for example a glass cap, a glass plate, aplastic cap or a plastic plate.

Furthermore, a getter material can be applied on the inner side of thecap or plate that faces the organic layer stack 4, said getter materiallikewise being embodied as transmissive to visible light. Furthermore,the encapsulation 6 can be a thin-film encapsulation having at least onebarrier layer. The barrier layer can for example consist of SiOx or SiNxor comprise one of these materials. Furthermore, the thin-filmencapsulation 6 can also have first and second barrier layers 601, 602,which alternate with regard to their material composition. Polymerinterlayers, for example, can be arranged between the alternatingbarrier layers; in this respect, also see FIG. 3, for example.

FIG. 17 a shows a schematic sectional illustration of a thin-filmencapsulation 6 comprising alternating barrier layers 601, 602, whereina polymer interlayer 604 is fitted in each case between two adjacentbarrier layers having different material compositions. The barrierinterlayers can be for example two barrier layers 601 comprising SiOxand two barrier layers 602 comprising SiNx, such as have already beendescribed in conjunction with FIG. 3. As in the case of the exemplaryembodiment in accordance with FIG. 3, the barrier layers 601, 602 arearranged in alternating fashion with regard to their materialcomposition, that it to say that first barrier layers 601 alternate withsecond barrier layers 602 within the thin-film encapsulation 6, whereinthe first and the second barrier layers 601, 602 have different materialcompositions. In contrast to the thin-film encapsulation 6 in accordancewith FIG. 3, however, the barrier layers 601, 602 are separated from oneanother by polymer interlayers 604.

As an alternative to the use of a separate reflective element 337, suchas, for example, of the above-described reflective layer sequence or ofthe dielectric mirror, the second electrode 3 of the luminous means inaccordance with FIG. 16 is embodied as reflective to visible light. Forthis purpose, the second electrode 3 comprises aluminum or silver forexample or consists of one of these materials. A luminous means of thistype is likewise suitable for being used as a mirror and/or anillumination source, like the luminous means in accordance with FIG. 15.

In order to obtain a luminous means which can serve as a mirror and/oras an illumination source and does not have an additional reflectiveelement, it is also possible for the second electrode 3 to be embodiedas transmissive to visible light, for example by a TCO being used aselectrode material, and for the encapsulation 6, the substrate 1 or thefirst electrode 2 to be embodied in reflective fashion instead.

A reflective encapsulation 6 can be a polished metal cap, for example.

FIG. 17B shows a schematic sectional illustration through a reflectiveencapsulation 6 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. Thisinvolves a cap which has either already been embodied in reflectivefashion, for example by being formed from a polished metal, or a capwhich is not embodied in reflective fashion. A reflective element 337,for example a reflective layer, is applied to the inner side of the capthat faces the organic layer stack 4. The reflective layer on the innerside of the cap can be for example a metallic layer which for instancecomprises silver or consists of silver. Furthermore, the reflectivelayer can also have a plurality of layers. Furthermore, a getter layer611 composed of a getter material embodied as transmissive to visiblelight is applied on the reflective layer.

FIG. 17C shows a schematic sectional illustration through a thin-filmencapsulation 6 in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment. Likethe thin-film encapsulation 6 in accordance with FIG. 17A, the thin-filmencapsulation 6 has alternating barrier layers 601, 602 separated fromone another by polymer interlayers 604. In contrast to the thin-filmencapsulation 6 in accordance with FIG. 17A, the thin-film encapsulation6 in accordance with FIG. 17C has a reflective element 337, for examplea reflective layer sequence such as has already been described withreference FIG. 15. The reflective layer sequence comprises a silverlayer 337 a applied to the outermost barrier layer 602. A copper layer337 b is applied to the silver layer 337 a, and a protective lacquerlayer 337 c is in turn arranged on said copper layer. On account of thereflective layer sequence, the thin-film encapsulation is embodied inreflective fashion and can be used as a reflective encapsulation.

A further possibility for embodying a luminous means 100 in which it ispossible to switch back and forth between mirror function andillumination function consists in the substrate 1 being embodied inreflective fashion, while the other elements of the luminous means,through which the light generated in the organic layer stack 4 has topass on the way to the light-emitting front side 100 a, in particularthe second electrode 3, the organic layer stack 4 and the encapsulation6, are embodied as transmissive to visible light. A reflective substrate1 can for example comprise metal or consist of a metal. By way ofexample, a metal film, such as a high-grade steel film, can be used asthe reflective substrate 1. In particular, a mirror can be used as thesubstrate. Furthermore, a laminate composed of plastic films onto whicha metal film—for example composed of aluminum—is laminated is suitableas a reflective substrate. Furthermore, the substrate can be a glasssubstrate coated in reflective fashion.

As an alternative or in addition to a reflective substrate 1, the firstelectrode 2 can also be embodied in reflective fashion. Such anelectrode can for example comprise one of the following materials orconsist thereof: aluminum, silver.

Furthermore, it is also possible for the thin-film encapsulation 6 perse to form a dielectric mirror or a Bragg mirror. The material of thefirst and the second barrier layers 601, 602 and also the thickness ofthese layers are then chosen accordingly.

FIG. 18A shows a perspective schematic illustration of a motor vehiclemirror 315 comprising a luminous means 100 in the case of which it ispossible to change over between the illumination function and mirrorfunction, as described for example in conjunction with FIGS. 15 to 17C.In the present case, the luminous means has a luminous surface embodiedin accordance with the lettering “Info 1”. For this purpose, one of theelectrodes 2, 3 can be structured, as described with reference to FIG.5B. In contrast to FIG. 5B, however, the luminous means 100 inaccordance with FIG. 18A has a reflective element 337, for example anadditional reflective layer sequence. Furthermore, one of the elementsof the luminous means 100, for example one of the electrodes 2, 3, thesubstrate 1 or the encapsulation 6, can also be embodied in reflectivefashion, as described above. In this way, logos, symbols or otherinformation can be displayed in luminous fashion as desired against thebackground of a mirror surface. With the aid of these luminous means100, for example warnings, such as distance messages when parking, forinstance, could be inserted in the motor vehicle mirror 315.

FIG. 18B shows a schematic perspective illustration of the motor vehiclemirror 315 in accordance with FIG. 18A. A mirror is used as thesubstrate 1 in the case of the motor vehicle mirror. The substrate 1 isconnected to a holder. A first electrode 2 is applied within an activeregion 5 on the substrate. The first electrode 2 is embodied astransmissive to visible light, for example by being formed from a TCO.Furthermore, the first electrode 2 is structured in accordance with thelettering “Info 1”. An organic layer stack 4 is applied to thestructured first electrode 2, said stack being transmissive to visiblelight. Furthermore, the second electrode 3 is applied to the organiclayer stack 4, said second electrode likewise being embodied astransmissive to visible light. A glass plate is used as encapsulation 6,said glass plate being fitted above the second electrode. The organiclayer stack 4 and the second electrode 3 are applied over the whole areawithin the active region 5. In order that the luminous means 100 has aluminous surface which is structured in accordance with a lettering, itis sufficient to structure the first electrode 2. The use of a mirror asthe substrate 1 permits the luminous means to be integrated into themotor vehicle mirror 315 in a simple manner.

FIG. 19 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a multi-partmirror 345 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. Such a mirrorcan be used for example as a bath or wardrobe mirror. The mirror 345comprises a central part 345 a and two pivotable side wings 345 b(indicated by arrows in the figure) arranged laterally with respect tothe central part. The side wings 345 b each comprise a luminous means100 in the case of which it is possible to change over betweenreflective and illuminating function and the luminous surface of whichfills the surface of the side wing virtually over the whole area in eachcase. Under good light conditions, the side wings 345 b can be used asnormal mirrors. Under poor light conditions, for example in the dark orat twilight, one of the two side wings or both side wings 345 b of themirror can be switched on as an illumination source in order toilluminate the observer. Furthermore, the illuminated side wings 345 bcan serve as a decorative illumination element.

Like FIG. 19, FIG. 20 shows a schematic perspective illustration of amulti-part mirror 345 in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment.This mirror is likewise a three-part mirror comprising a central part345 a and two side wings 345 b which are arranged laterally with respectto the central part and into which luminous means 100 are introduced inthe case of which it is possible to switch back and forth betweenmirroring and illuminating function. Such a mirror can also be used forexample as a bath or wardrobe mirror.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a search mirror350 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. The search mirror 350comprises a mirror element 351 and a holding element 352, to which themirror element is fixed. In this case, the holding element 352 isembodied in bent fashion in order to be able to use the mirror element351 to inspect locations that are difficult to access. Such a searchmirror can be a dental mirror, for example.

The search mirror 350 comprises, on its mirror element 351, a luminousmeans 100 in the case of which it is possible to switch back and forthbetween reflective and illuminating function. The luminous means cancomprise a part of the mirror surface or virtually the entire mirrorsurface. It therefore affords the possibility of simultaneouslyilluminating and inspecting locations that are difficult to access. Sucha mirror can also be used in the domestic sector, for example forsearching for lost articles behind/under furniture that is difficult tomove.

FIG. 22 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a make-up mirrorin accordance with one exemplary embodiment. In the present case, themake-up mirror is integrated into a cosmetic set, such as a powdercontact. Furthermore, the make-up mirror comprises a luminous means inthe case of which it is possible to switch back and forth betweenmirroring and illuminating function. Under poor visibility conditions,the luminous means can be activated. Under low light, therefore, themake-up mirror 355 can be used simultaneously as a cosmetic mirror andas face illumination. The luminous means 100 can comprise a part orvirtually the entire mirror surface.

FIG. 23 shows a schematic plan view of a decorative element 360 inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment. In the present case, thedecorative element 360 is embodied as a flashing Christmas star. A basicsurface of the star is embodied in mirroring fashion, wherein luminousmeans in the case of which it is possible to switch back and forthbetween reflective and illuminating function are introduced into partialregions of the star. These luminous means can for example also beembodied in colored fashion. In this case, multicolored luminous means100 can also be involved, in particular, such as are described furtherbelow.

FIG. 24 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a mirror 365 inaccordance with a further exemplary embodiment. In the present case, themirror 365 is provided for use in the domestic wet sector. In thepresent case, the mirror has an outer region provided with a luminousmeans 100 in the case of which it is possible to switch back and forthbetween illuminating and mirroring function.

FIG. 25 shows, in a schematic sectional illustration, a luminous means100 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of a luminous meansdescribed here.

The luminous means 100 illustrated in FIG. 25 is a flexible luminousmeans. The luminous means 100 embodied in flexible fashion isdistinguished, inter alia, by the fact that it can be bent to a certaindegree without being damaged by the bending. Preferably, the luminousmeans embodied in flexible fashion can be bent repeatedly without beingdamaged in the process. The luminous means is then suitable, therefore,for withstanding a plurality of bending cycles without being damaged.

The luminous means 100 in FIG. 25 comprises a substrate 1. The substrate1 is a flexible, metallic substrate 1. The metallic substrate 1 containsor consists of one of the following materials: aluminum, high-gradesteel, gold, silver. Preferably, the substrate 1 is in this caseembodied as a metal film having a thickness of at most 1 mm,particularly preferably at most 0.5 mm. It is furthermore possible forthe flexible, metallic substrate 1 to be embodied as medium sheet metalhaving a thickness of at least 3 mm and at most 4.75 mm or as fine sheetmetal having a thickness of at most 3 mm.

A first electrode 2 is applied directly to the first main surface 101 ofthe substrate 1. The first electrode 2 is a cathode of the luminousmeans 100, for example.

The cathode is suitable for impressing electrons into the organic layerstack that succeeds the cathode. For this purpose, the cathode comprisesa material which is distinguished by a low work function for electrons.In this case, the cathode contains or consists preferably of alkalimetals or alkaline earth metals. Furthermore, the cathode can compriseone or a plurality of layers which consist of silver, aluminum and/orplatinum or contain at least one of these metals.

The organic layer stack 4 is preferably applied directly to the cathode.The organic layer stack 4 comprises at least one layer 401 which issuitable for generating light during operation of the luminous means100.

The organic layer stack 4 can comprise further organic layers such as,for example, a hole conducting layer 409 or an electron conducting layer408. The electron conducting layer preferably directly adjoins thecathode. The hole conducting layer is arranged on that side of thelight-generating layer 401 of the layer stack 4 which is remote from thecathode, and preferably adjoins the anode of the luminous means 100.

A second electrode 3 is preferably arranged directly on the organiclayer stack 4. The second electrode 3 is an anode of the luminous means100, for example.

The anode is provided for injecting holes into the organic layer stack.The anode comprises a material which has a high work function forelectrons. Indium tin oxide (ITO), for example, is a suitable materialfor forming the anode.

A planarization layer 7 is preferably applied directly to the secondelectrode 3. The planarization layer 7 consists of or contains anorganic material.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment described in conjunctionwith FIG. 25, additional scattering centers 701 are introduced into theplanarization layer. The scattering centers 701 can be for exampleparticles of at least one of the following materials: luminescenceconversion material, color filter material, diffuser material. By way ofexample, the materials already mentioned in the general part of thedescription can serve as luminescence conversion materials.

Color pigments dispersed in a matrix material are suitable for exampleas color filter materials. The matrix material involves for exampletransparent plastics such as acrylate, polyacrylate or polyimide. Acolor filter material transmits only light of a specific color—forexample green, red or blue light.

The diffuser material involves for example light-scattering particlessuch as titanium oxide, silicon oxide or particles of theabove-described luminescence conversion materials which can be embeddedinto a matrix.

An encapsulation 6 is preferably applied directly to the planarizationlayer 7. The encapsulation 6 is formed by a plurality of barrier layerswhich preferably contain an inorganic material. The barrier layers, aspart of a thin-film encapsulation, form the flexible encapsulation ofthe luminous means. By way of example, first and second barrier layers601, 602 are applied alternately to the planarization layer 7. In thiscase, the first barrier layers 601 consist of a silicon oxide, and thesecond barrier layers 602 then consist of a silicon nitride; in thiscase, also see FIG. 3, in which such a thin-film encapsulation iselucidated in greater detail.

Overall, a flexible luminous means 100 comprising a metallic substrate 1is described in conjunction with FIG. 25.

The luminous means in accordance with FIG. 25 is provided for emittinglight from its top side 100 a. For this purpose, the elements throughwhich the light generated in the organic layer stack has to pass on itsway to the top side 100 a, in particular the organic layer stack 4itself, the second electrode 3 and the encapsulation 6, are embodied astransmissive to visible light. Furthermore, the planarization layer 7 islikewise embodied as transmissive to visible light.

The first main surface 101 of the surface 1 of the luminous means 100can be embodied such that it is reflective to the light generated in theorganic layer stack 4, by polishing the main surface 101. The luminousmeans described in conjunction with FIG. 25 is then a flexible,reflective luminous means.

FIG. 26 shows, in a schematic sectional illustration, an exemplaryembodiment of a luminous means described here.

The luminous means 100 described in conjunction with FIG. 26 is aflexible luminous means. In this case, the flexible luminous means 100is preferably embodied in flexible fashion in such a way that—withoutbeing damaged in the process—it can be rolled up onto a roll and can beunrolled from a roll.

The luminous means 100 comprises a substrate 1. The substrate 1 isembodied as a plastic film. That is to say that the substrate 1 has athickness of at most 1 mm, preferably at most 0.5 mm, particularlypreferably of between at least 50 and at most 500 μm, for example 250μm, and contains or consists of a plastic. Suitable plastics include,inter alia, PE, polyimide and similar plastics.

A first electrode 2 is preferably applied directly to the first mainsurface 101 of the substrate 1, said first electrode preferably beingtransmissive to visible light. That is to say that the first electrode2—as described further above—is embodied such that it is at least partlytransmissive to the light generated by the luminous means duringoperation. For this purpose, the first electrode 2 can consist of alight-transmissive material and/or be embodied in grid-shaped fashion.

The organic layer stack 4 is preferably applied directly to the firstelectrode 2. The organic layer stack 4 comprises at least onelight-generating organic layer 401. Furthermore, the organic layer stack4 comprises an outermost organic layer 402, which for example directlyadjoins the second electrode 3. The outermost organic layer is dopedwith a dopant 410. Preferably, the dopant 410 of the doped layer—asexplained further above—involves the largest possible atoms or moleculeswhich are suitable for releasing electrons—n-type dopant—or holes—p-typedopant. Furthermore, the dopant has a low diffusion constant within theorganic layer stack 4. For this purpose, the dopant is formed from thelargest possible atoms or molecules. Cesium, for example, proves to be asuitable dopant in this case.

The second electrode 3 is preferably applied directly to the organiclayer stack 4. The second electrode 3—as described further above—isembodied in light-transmissive fashion. That is to say that the secondelectrode 3 is formed from a light-transmissive material and/or embodiedin grid-shaped fashion.

A light-transmissive encapsulation 6 is preferably applied directly tothe second electrode 3. The encapsulation 6 is preferably formed by alight-transmissive plastic film. In this case, the light-transmissiveencapsulation 6 can be formed from the same material as the substrate 1.However, it is also conceivable for the encapsulation to be formed fromone or a plurality of barrier layers such as have been described forexample in conjunction with FIG. 3. In this case, the encapsulation 6 isembodied as a flexible thin-film encapsulation.

Overall, a light-transmissive, flexible luminous means 100 is describedin conjunction with FIG. 26. In particular on account of theparticularly flexible substrate 1 embodied as a plastic film, and theparticularly flexible encapsulation 6 embodied as a plastic film orthin-film encapsulation, the luminous means 100 is so flexible that itcan be rolled up onto a roll and can be unrolled from a roll, withoutbeing damaged in the process.

FIG. 27 shows an exemplary embodiment of a luminous means 100 describedhere, in a schematic sectional illustration.

The luminous means 100 elucidated with the aid of FIG. 27 is a flexibleluminous means. The flexible luminous means 100 in FIG. 27 isdistinguished, inter alia, by the fact that it can be bent to a certaindegree without being damaged in the process. Preferably, the luminousmeans embodied in flexible fashion can be bent repeatedly without beingdamaged in the process. The luminous means is then suitable, therefore,for withstanding a plurality of bending cycles without being damaged. Inthis case, the luminous means 100 can be embodied in flexible fashion insuch a way that the luminous means—without experiencing a negativeimpairment in the process—can be rolled up onto a roll and can beunrolled from a roll.

The luminous means 100 comprises a substrate 1. The substrate 1 is aflexible laminate substrate. That is to say that the substrate 1 of theluminous means 100 is embodied as a laminate.

The laminate comprises a first layer 104, which is formed from aplastic. The laminate furthermore comprises a second layer 103, which isformed from a glass. The laminate furthermore comprises a third layer104, which is in turn formed from a plastic. By way of example, thelayers of the laminate are adhesively bonded to one another. However, itis also possible for the second layer 103 of the laminate, which isformed from a glass, to be coated with a plastic. The substrate 1 of theluminous means 100 described in conjunction with FIG. 27 is embodied inflexible fashion and can furthermore also be light-transmissive. Bycomparison with a simple plastic film, a laminate is for exampleparticularly well suited to keeping moisture away from the electrodesand the organic layer stack 4.

A first electrode 2 is preferably applied directly to the first mainsurface 101 of the substrate 1. The organic layer stack 4 succeeds thefirst electrode 2, said stack comprising at least one light-generatingorganic layer 4.

The second electrode 3 is applied directly to the organic layer stack.

The encapsulation 6 of the luminous means 100 succeeds the secondelectrode 3. The encapsulation can be a thin-film encapsulation, which,as described further above, comprises one or a plurality of barrierlayers. Furthermore, the encapsulation can be a film—for example aplastic or metal film. Furthermore, it is possible for the encapsulationto be embodied as a laminate in the same way as the substrate 1 of theluminous means 100.

FIG. 28A shows a window 20 covered by a louver 22, in a schematic planview in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 28B shows a schematic sectional illustration through a slat 21 ofthe louver 22 as illustrated in FIG. 28A. The slat 21 of the louver 22is embodied as a flexible luminous means 100, in a manner similar tothat described for example in conjunction with FIG. 25.

Preferably, this luminous means 100 comprises a substrate 1 embodied inlight-opaque fashion. The substrate 1 can be for example a metallicsubstrate 1 or a plastic substrate. In particular the slat of aconventional louver can be used as the substrate 1 in this case.

A layer sequence comprising at least a first electrode 2, an organiclayer stack 4, a second electrode 3 and an encapsulation 6 is thenapplied to the slat as the substrate 1 of the luminous means 100. Theencapsulation is preferably embodied in light-transmissive fashion.

With the louver 22 closed, the slats 21 of the louver 22 are preferablyoriented relative to the window 20 in such a way that the light-opaquesubstrate 1 is directed outward and the light-transmissive encapsulationis directed inward—that is to say into the room. In this way, the louverembodied in such a manner can be used as an illumination device for theroom.

For this purpose, the organic layer stack 4 is preferably suitable forgenerating white light similar to daylight. The organic layer stack 4can be constructed for example as explained in conjunction with FIG. 1.An illumination which is similar to daylight in terms of emissiondirection, emission characteristic and light impression isadvantageously realized in this way. The room darkened by the louver 22can in this way be illuminated with a light having a particularlynatural appearance. With the aid of such a louver, therefore, a room canfor example be outwardly protected from inquisitive looks and at thesame be illuminated. Furthermore, it is also possible for the organiclayer stack 4 to be suitable for generating colored light. Such a louvercan also have a decorative function for example in addition to thedarkening function.

FIG. 29A shows, in a schematic plan view, a window 20 covered by acurtain 23 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 29B shows the curtain 23 in a schematic sectional illustration.

The curtain is embodied for example as a flexible luminous means 100such as has been described in conjunction with FIG. 26 or FIG. 27. Thatis to say that the curtain 23 comprises a flexible substrate 1 formed bya plastic film or a laminate. The substrate 1 is preferably embodied inlight-opaque fashion.

The encapsulation of the luminous means 100 is embodied as alight-transmissive film, as a light-transmissive laminate or as alight-transmissive thin-film encapsulation. In this case, thelight-opaque substrate is directed toward the window. Thelight-transmissive encapsulation 6 is directed into the room, away fromthe window 20.

The curtain 23 can be connected to a power supply 10 for example by arod 24 or a cable and can be energized by said power supply. A curtain23 formed in this way enables a room to be illuminated with light whichcan be very similar to daylight with regard to emission direction,emission characteristic and color.

A further exemplary embodiment of a curtain 23 is described in aschematic sectional illustration in conjunction with FIG. 29C. In thisexemplary embodiment, a luminous means 100 is applied to a textilecarrier, for example a conventional textile curtain 25. In this case,the luminous means 100 is preferably embodied as a flexible and, ifappropriate, light-transmissive luminous means 100 such as has beendescribed for example in conjunction with FIG. 26 or FIG. 27. In thiscase, the textile material of the curtain 25 faces the window 20, andthe luminous means 100 is remote from the window 20.

The luminous means 100 is fixed on the curtain 25 preferably by means ofa hook-and-loop connection. For this purpose, a hook-and-loop fasteningis for example adhesively bonded on the second main surface 102 of thesubstrate 1 of the luminous means 100—in this respect also cf. theexemplary embodiment of a luminous means 100 described here that isdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 49. In this way, the luminous means100 can readily be detached from the textile curtain 25 in order, forexample, to wash the textile curtain or to replace a defective luminousmeans 100 in a particularly simple manner. For the case where theluminous means is embodied in light-transmissive fashion, itadvantageously emerges that the curtain remains visible through theluminous means.

FIG. 30 shows, in a schematic plan view, a window 20 covered by atextile curtain 25.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 29C, the luminous means100 in this exemplary embodiment do not completely cover the textilematerial, but rather are applied to the curtain in the form ofindividual smaller applications. In this way, it is possible, forexample, to apply luminous means 100 of predeterminable size and form tothe textile curtain 25. In this case, the luminous means can form forexample stylized stars, moons, hearts or else letterings. A curtain 25formed in this way is particularly well suited as a nightlight in achild's/children's room, as Christmas lighting or for advertisingpurposes in a display window. The luminous means 100 is preferably aflexible luminous means embodied in reflective and/or multicoloredfashion.

Contact can be made with the individual luminous means 100 via conductortracks 26. For this purpose, the conductor tracks 26 are fixed to thetextile curtain 25 or woven into the curtain 25. The luminous means 100can in turn be energized via a cable or a rod 24 which is connected to apower supply 10. Furthermore, it is possible for the luminous means 100each to bear an autonomous power supply such as a battery, for example.

FIG. 31 shows, in a schematic sectional illustration, an exemplaryembodiment of a luminous means described here. The luminous means 100 isfor example a flexible luminous means 100 such as has been described ingreater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 25, 26 and 27.

An adhesive layer 30 is applied to the second main surface 102 of thesubstrate 1, remote from the first main surface 101 of the substrate 1.The adhesive layer is covered by a protective film 31. The protectivefilm can be stripped from the adhesive layer 30, such that the adhesivelayer 30 can be uncovered by stripping away the protective film 31. As aresult, a luminous means 100 is realized which, after simple strippingaway of the protective film 31, can be fixed to a predetermined locationby being stuck on in the sense of a transfer.

FIG. 32 shows, in a schematic perspective illustration, an item offurniture 33, for example a table, shelving, or generally storagefurniture, to which a self-adhesive luminous means 100 in accordancewith FIG. 31 is adhesively attached.

On account of the flexibility of the luminous means 100, the luminousmeans 100 can also be adhesively bonded around edges, rounded portionsor rims of the item of furniture 33. As a result of the flexible,self-adhesive luminous means 100 being adhesively attached to the itemof furniture 33, an item of furniture is realized which functions as anillumination device 1000.

A flexible luminous means as illustrated in FIG. 31, for example, isshown in the rolled-up state in the schematic perspective illustrationin FIG. 33. That is to say that the luminous means 100 is embodied inflexible fashion in such a way that it can be rolled up to form a rolland can be unrolled from a roll 32 in the direction of the arrow 32.This enables, in addition to particularly space-saving storage of theluminous means 100, a particularly simple use of the luminous means 100for example for adhesive attachment to items of furniture, stairlandings, walls, tiles, flags or sanitary fixtures.

FIG. 34A shows an exemplary embodiment of an illumination device 1000described here, in a schematic plan view.

FIG. 34B shows the illumination device 1000 in a schematic sectionalillustration along the sectional line AA′.

The illumination device 1000 in accordance with FIGS. 34A and 34B is aflexible illumination device. In this case, the flexibility of theillumination device 1000 is achieved by virtue of the fact that rigidluminous means 100, that is to say luminous means 100 which have noflexibility per se since they have for example a rigid substrate 1and/or a rigid encapsulation 6, are embedded into a flexible matrix 40.

The illumination device 1000 comprises two flexible carriers 42, 43,between which the rigid luminous means 100 and the material of thematrix 40 are arranged. At least the carrier 43, through which theluminous means 100 emit the light generated during operation, islight-transmissive. The other carrier 42 can be formed from alight-opaque material, embodied for example in reflective fashion, forinstance of a metal film.

The space between the two carriers 42, 43 is filled with the rigidluminous means 100 and a flexible matrix material 40. Thelight-transmissive matrix material can contain particles of at least oneof the following materials: luminescence conversion material, colorfilter material, diffuser material.

Suitable matrix material includes for example zeonex, polystyrene,polycarbonate or other plastics which can preferably be processed bymeans of injection molding.

The flexible carrier 42, 43 is for example a plexiglass plate, a plasticfilm or a plastic-glass-plastic laminate.

In this case, the rigid luminous means 100 can be arranged so closetogether that—if appropriate through diffuser particles contained in thematrix material—a homogeneous light impression of the illuminationdevice 1000 results. That is to say that individual luminous means 100are then no longer perceptible by the observer, rather the illuminationdevice 1000 has a single, homogeneous luminous surface.

As an alternative, it is possible for the luminous means 100 to bearranged in a manner spaced far apart from one another such that websare perceptible between the luminous means. In this case, the spacebetween individual luminous means can be filled with a matrix materialcomprising light-absorbing particles. The light-absorbing particles canbe for example carbon black or particles of dyes.

The conductor tracks 41 connecting the individual luminous means 100 ofthe illumination device 1000 to one another are arranged in the matrixmaterial. This ensures the flexibility of the illumination device. Theconductor tracks 41 are formed by thin, metallic springs or thin wireslaid in meanders.

The carriers 42, 43 of the illumination device 1000 can be chosen to beload-bearing such that the illumination device 1000 withstands loadingsby weights of up to a few hundred kilograms without being damaged. A useof the illumination device 1000 as a floor covering is possible in thisway.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the illumination device 1000 asdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 34A and 34B, at least one of the twocarriers of the illumination device 1000 is embodied in rigid fashion.The rigid carrier can have a predeterminable curvature, for example,thus resulting in a three-dimensionally shaped illumination device 1000which is invariable in its form, that is to say rigid.

All of the luminous means 100 described here can be used for theluminous means 100 of the illumination device 1000 as described inconjunction with FIGS. 34A and 34B. In this way, colored,light-transmissive, reflective or multicolored, flexible illuminationdevices can be produced particularly simply and cost-effectively.

FIG. 35A shows a schematic plan view of a luminous means 100 inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment of a luminous means 100described here.

FIG. 35B shows a schematic sectional illustration of the luminous means100 in FIG. 35A along the sectional line AA′.

The luminous means described in conjunction with FIGS. 35A and 35B is amulticolored luminous means.

As illustrated schematically in the plan view in FIG. 35A, the luminousmeans comprises first and second color subregions arranged laterallyalongside one another. The first 50 and second 51 color subregions aresuitable for emitting light of different colors. The first colorsubregion 50 is suitable for emitting light of a first color. The secondcolor subregion 51 is suitable for emitting light of a second color. Thefirst color differs from the second color in this case.

In the exemplary embodiment of the luminous means as described inconjunction with FIG. 35A, the first and second color subregions 50, 51are arranged in a checkered pattern with respect to one another. That isto say that the first and second color subregions 50, 51 are arranged atthe grid points of a square grid in such a way that each first colorsubregion 50 which is not arranged at the edge of the luminous means 100has four second color subregions 51 as closest neighbors which laterallyadjoin the first color subregion 50. The same correspondingly holds truefor the second color subregions 51.

In this case, the color subregions 50, 51 are formed in the manner ofpixels of a display. The size of each color subregion is preferably atleast 1 mm².

As is illustrated in the schematic sectional illustration in FIG. 35B,first and second color subregions 50, 51 can comprise differentluminescence conversion materials or different color filter materialswhich are responsible for the different color impression of the firstand second color subregions. Thus, the first color subregions 50comprise for example a first luminescence conversion material and/or afirst color filter material 52. The second color subregions 51 thencomprise a second luminescence conversion material and/or a second colorfilter material 53.

In this case, the luminescence conversion materials and/or the colorfilter materials can be arranged in a layer of the luminous means whichruns parallel to the first main surface 101 of the substrate 1 of theluminous means 100 and which is arranged in such a way that at least alarge part of the electromagnetic radiation generated in the organiclayer stack 4 during operation passes through said layer.

In the exemplary embodiment described in conjunction with FIG. 35B, theluminous means 100 comprises a substrate 1, to which a first electrodeis applied. The organic layer stack 4 is applied to that side of thefirst electrode 2 which is remote from the substrate, said stackcomprising at least one organic layer provided for generating light. Asecond electrode 3 succeeds the organic layer stack 4 on its side remotefrom the first electrode 2.

The layer comprising the first 52 and second 53 luminescence conversionmaterials and/or the first and second color filter materials is arrangedon that side of the second electrode 3 which is remote from the organiclayer stack 4. The luminous means 100 is hermetically encapsulated fromthe surroundings by an encapsulation 6.

By means of corresponding structuring of the first electrode 2 and/orsecond electrode 3, it is possible that the color subregions can bedriven independently of one another.

The luminous means 100 can be constructed in particular as in one of theother exemplary embodiments described. Flexible, light-transmissiveand/or reflective luminous means which have at least two colorsubregions can thereby be realized in a particularly simple manner.

The materials described further above are suitable for example as firstand/or second luminescence conversion materials.

The materials described further above are suitable for example as firstand second color filter materials.

For reasons of a simplified illustration, only two different colorsubregions are illustrated in the exemplary embodiment described inconjunction with FIGS. 35A and 35B. It is possible, however, for theluminous means 100 to have a larger number of different color subregionswhich are suitable for generating light of different colors in pairs.

In the extreme case, the color of the light of each color subregiondiffers from the color of the light of any other color subregion of theluminous means. This is illustrated schematically in FIG. 35C, whichelucidates a further exemplary embodiment of a multicolored luminousmeans 100 described here, on the basis of a schematic plan view. In thisexemplary embodiment, the luminous means has five different colorsubregions 50 a to 50 e which each generate light of different colors inpairs.

FIG. 36 shows a schematic sectional illustration through a luminousmeans 100 in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of aluminous means 100 as illustrated for example in the schematic plan viewin FIG. 35A.

The luminous means described in conjunction with FIG. 36 is amulticolored luminous means.

In the exemplary embodiment of the luminous means 100 in FIG. 36, thematerials—that is to say the first 52 and second 53 luminescenceconversion materials and/or the first and second color filtermaterials—are arranged in the encapsulation 6 of the luminous means 100.By way of example, the encapsulation 6 of the luminous means 100 can beformed by a plate or flexible film into which the materials areembedded.

This enables a luminous means 100 in the case of which the desired colorimpression of the luminous means 100 can be set by the choice of theencapsulation 6. With regard to the remaining elements of the luminousmeans, the luminous means 100 can be constructed as in one of theexemplary embodiments discussed further above or further below.Flexible, light-transmissive and/or reflective luminous means which haveat least two color subregions can thereby be realized in a particularlysimple manner. The functional components of the luminous means such as,for example, the first electrode 2 and second electrode 3 and also theorganic layer stack 4 can be produced independently of the encapsulation6.

FIG. 37 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a further exemplaryembodiment of a multicolored luminous means 100 described here. In thepresent case, the active region of the substrate comprises subregionswhich each correspond to a color subregion. In this exemplaryembodiment, the different color subregions 50, 51 of the luminous means100 are realized by different emitter materials in the organic layerstack. That is to say that the organic layer stack is structured in alateral direction. First and second color subregions differ at leastwith regard to an organic layer provided for generating light. The firstcolor subregion 50 comprises a first emitter material, for example, andthe second color subregion 51 then comprises a second emitter material,which differs from the first emitter material. With regard to theremaining elements of the luminous means, the luminous means 100 canthen be constructed as in one of the other exemplary embodiments.Flexible, light-transmissive and/or reflective luminous means which haveat least two color subregions can thereby be realized in a particularlysimple manner.

FIG. 38 shows, in a schematic plan view, the first and second electrodes2, 3 for a further exemplary embodiment of a multicolored luminous means100. As can be gathered from FIG. 38, the first and second electrodes 2,3 are each embodied in strip-shaped fashion. In this way, the individualcolor subregions 50, 51 can be driven independently of one another. Inthis case, the luminous means 100 is constructed in the manner of apassive matrix display apparatus. The individual color subregions 50, 51are driven by means of a controller 11, which can be arranged outsidethe luminous means 100 or is integrated into the luminous means 100. Theluminous means 100 is energized by the power supply 10 via thecontroller 11.

FIG. 39 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a multicolored luminousmeans 100 described here, in a schematic plan view. In this exemplaryembodiment, all the first color subregions 50 and all the second colorsubregions 51 are in each case connected to one another by electricalconnections 54 and 55, respectively. That is to say that, by way ofexample, all the first color subregions 50 can be driven jointly andsimultaneously in this way. Likewise, all the second color subregions 51can be driven jointly and simultaneously. By contrast, the first and thesecond color subregions 50, 51 can be driven separately from oneanother. A luminous means 100 embodied in this way therefore has fouroperating states:

-   -   the luminous means can be switched off, such that none of the        color subregions generates light, that is to say that none of        the color subregions is luminous;    -   all the first color subregions 50 of the luminous means 100 are        luminous, and the second color subregions 51 are not luminous,    -   all the second color subregions 51 of the luminous means 100 are        luminous, and the first color subregions 50 are not luminous,        and    -   the first and the second color subregions 50, 51 are luminous,        such that the luminous means 100 emits light of the first and of        the second color.

FIG. 40A shows, in a schematic plan view, an exemplary embodiment of anillumination device 1000 described here. The illumination device 1000comprises a plurality of multicolored luminous means 100 as describedfor example in conjunction with FIG. 35A, 35B, 35C, 36, 37 or 39.

As can be gathered from the enlargement of the excerpt in FIG. 40B, eachluminous means of the illumination device 1000 comprises four colorsubregions 50 a, 50 b, 50 c and 50 d:

The first color subregion 50 a is suitable for example for emittinglight of green color during the operation of the illumination device1000.

The second color subregion 50 b is suitable for emitting light of redcolor during the operation of the illumination device 1000.

The third color subregion 50 c is suitable for emitting light of bluecolor during the operation of the illumination device 1000.

The fourth color subregion 50 d is suitable for emitting white lightduring the operation of the illumination device 1000.

In this case, the color subregions of each luminous means 100 of theillumination device 1000 can be driven separately and independently ofone another. For this purpose, the illumination device 1000 comprises acontroller 11, which can contain a microcontroller, for example. Thecontroller 11 is energized by means of the power supply 10.

Optionally, an optical element 60 is disposed downstream of the luminousmeans 100 of the illumination device 1000 at their light-emitting frontside 100 a. The optical element 60 is preferably a diffuser plate. Thatis to say that light which radiates through the optical element 60 isscattered by the optical element 60. In this way, during the operationof the illumination device 1000, the individual color subregions are nolonger perceptible as separate elements by the observer, rather theillumination device 1000 appears as though it has a single, homogeneousluminous surface. In this case, the luminous surface of the illuminationdevice 1000 is composed of the light-emitting front sides of theluminous means of the illumination device.

The optical element 60 is furthermore preferably suitable for mixing thelight generated by the color subregions 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d of theindividual luminous means 100. In this way, the illumination device 1000is suitable for generating not only light of the colors of theindividual subregions but also mixed light composed of two or more ofthese colors. Overall, an illumination device which can be used in aparticularly flexible manner and which is suitable in a simple mannerfor generating light of a multiplicity of different colors is realizedin this way.

If the luminous means 100 of the illumination device 1000 additionallyhave at least one color subregion 50 d which is suitable for generatingwhite light, then the brightness of the light emitted by theillumination device 1000 can also be set in a particularly simple mannerby the energization of this color subregion.

FIG. 41 shows, in a schematic plan view, a further exemplary embodimentof a luminous means 100 described here. The luminous means 100 has atleast two color subregions 51 and 50. The color subregions can bearranged for example in a manner corresponding to the color subregionsof the multicolored luminous means described in conjunction with FIGS.35A, 35B, 35C, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40A, 40B.

In the case of the luminous means 100 described in conjunction with FIG.41, the first and second color subregions 50, 51 are reverse-connectedin parallel with one another. That is to say that if the luminous means100 is energized in a first direction, for example the first colorsubregions 50 are connected in the forward direction, such that theygenerate light of the first color. The second color subregions 51 arethen connected in the reverse direction, such that no light is generatedin the second color subregions.

By simple reversal of the current direction, in a next time step thesecond color subregions 51 can be energized in the forward direction,such that light of the second color is generated. The first colorsubregions 50 are then connected in the reverse direction, such that nolight is generated in the first color subregions 50.

In this case, the color subregions 50 can be integrated onto a commonsubstrate. Furthermore, it is also possible for the color subregions tobe individual, small luminous means that are reverse-connected inparallel with one another.

Such a luminous means 100 is preferably driven by means of a controller11 into which a pulse width modulation circuit 12 is integrated. Thepulse width modulation circuit 12 is suitable for generating for firsttime periods current which has a first current direction. For secondtime periods, the pulse width modulation circuit 12 is suitable forgenerating current which has a second current direction, which isdirected opposite to the first current direction.

The controller 11 of the luminous means 100 can either be integratedinto the luminous means 100 or it is arranged outside the luminousmeans. The luminous means 100 is energized by a power supply 10 via thecontroller 11.

FIG. 42 shows, in a schematic sectional illustration, a luminous means100 in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of a luminousmeans 100 described here.

The substrate of the luminous means 100 comprises an active region 5.The active region comprises at least a first electrode 2, an organiclayer stack 4 and a second electrode 3.

A photodetector 65 is arranged on the substrate at a distance from theorganic layer stack.

The photodetector 65 can be produced for example jointly with theorganic layer stack and the electrodes on the active region 5. Thephotodetector 65 comprises at least a first electrode, a secondelectrode 3 and a photodetecting layer sequence 66 arranged between thetwo electrodes. The photodetecting layer sequence 66 comprises anorganic material. The photodetecting layer sequence 66 thereforecomprises at least one layer which contains an organic material.

In this case, it is possible, in particular, for the photodetector 65 tobe constructed in just the same way as the organic layer stack betweenthe two electrodes of the luminous means 100.

The photodetector 65 is provided for detecting the brightness and/or thecolor locus of the light generated by the active region 5. For thispurpose, the photodetector 65 can be connected to a controller 11comprising a corresponding evaluation circuit. The controller 11 ispreferably likewise arranged on the first main surface 101 of thesubstrate 1 of the luminous means 100. As an alternative, it is possiblefor the controller 11 to be arranged outside the luminous means 100.

As illustrated in the schematic sectional illustration in FIG. 42, thephotodetector 65 and the organic layer stack can be encapsulated by acommon encapsulation 6. The encapsulation is one of the encapsulationspresented in connection with the luminous means 100 described furtherabove. That is to say that the encapsulation 6 is formed for example bya glass, a plastic film, a plastic-glass-plastic laminate, a metal film,a metallic sheet, a cap or a thin-film encapsulation. The encapsulation6 and/or the substrate 1 of the luminous means 100 are embodied inlight-transmissive fashion.

In conjunction with FIG. 43, a further exemplary embodiment of aluminous means described here is explained with reference to a schematicsectional illustration.

In this exemplary embodiment, a controller 11 is arranged jointly withthe organic layer stack of the luminous means 100 on the first mainsurface 101 of the substrate 1. In this case, the controller 11 cancontain an organic material, for example. The controller can thenadvantageously be produced by means of the same production methods asthe active region 5. This enables the luminous means 100 to be producedin a particularly cost-effective manner. The controller 11 iselectrically conductively connected to the organic layer stack of theluminous means 100 either via additional electrical leads 9 such as, forexample bonding wires 902 or by means of the first and second electrodes2, 3. The controller 11 is suitable for energizing the active region 5of the luminous means 100 in a predeterminable manner.

In particular, it is also possible that the controller 11 can be setexternally—for example by a user of the luminous means 100. That is tosay that a user can set a specific operating state of the luminous means100 via the controller 11. As is furthermore shown in FIG. 43, thecontroller 11 and the organic layer stack of the luminous means 100 areencapsulated by a common encapsulation 6. The encapsulation 6 is one ofthe encapsulations 6 presented in connection with the luminous means 100described further above. That is to say that the encapsulation 6 isformed for example by a glass, a plastic film, a plastic-glass-plasticlaminate, a metal film, a metallic sheet, a cap or a thin-filmencapsulation. The encapsulation 6 and/or the substrate 1 of theluminous means 100 are embodied in light-transmissive fashion.

FIG. 44 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a luminous means 100described here, in a schematic plan view. In this exemplary embodimentof the luminous means, both a photodetector 65, such as was explained inconjunction with FIG. 42, and a controller 11, such as was described ingreater detail in conjunction with FIG. 43, are arranged jointly on thefirst main surface 101 of the substrate 1 of the luminous means 100.This enables a particularly compact and autonomous luminous means 100.The photodetector is preferably connected to the controller 11, which issuitable for energizing the organic layer stack of the luminous means100 depending on measured values determined by the photodetector 65. Themeasured values can be for example the brightness and/or the color locusof the light generated by the organic layer stack 4 of the luminousmeans 100. Furthermore, it is possible for the photodetector 65additionally or alternatively to be provided for detection of theambient light. In this case, the organic layer stack is also energizedin a manner dependent on the ambient brightness.

In the exemplary embodiment of the luminous means 100 described inconjunction with FIG. 44, it is possible, in particular, for the organiclayer stack, the photodetector 65 and the controller 11 to contain atleast one organic material in each case. These elements of the luminousmeans 100 can be produced by the same production methods. This enablesthe luminous means 100 to be produced in a particularly simple andcost-effective manner.

A further exemplary embodiment of a luminous means 100 described here isexplained in conjunction with the schematic sectional illustration inFIG. 45.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment described in conjunctionwith FIG. 45, the organic layer stack 4 comprises—in contrast to some ofthe exemplary embodiments of the luminous means described furtherabove—a plurality of layers 403, 404, 405 provided for generating light.

Each of these layers provided for generating light forms a colorsubregion of the luminous means 100. That is to say that the colorsubregions of the luminous means are arranged vertically one aboveanother in this exemplary embodiment. The different layers provided forgenerating light preferably differ with regard to their emittermaterial. The layers are therefore suitable for generating light ofmutually different colors during operation of the luminous means. By wayof example, the first layer 403 provided for generating light issuitable for generating red light. The second layer 404 is then suitablefor generating green light. The fourth layer 405 provided for generatinglight is suitable for generating blue light.

The following emitter materials are suitable for example for generatinglight of the specified color:

-   -   blue: DPVBi=4,4′-bis(2,2-diphenylethen-1-yl)-diphenyl    -   blue: SEB-020    -   green: Irppy=fac-tris(2-phenylpyridyl)iridium complex    -   red: TER-012    -   red: DCM2:        4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(julolidine-4-ylvinyl)-4H-pyran

The remaining elements of the luminous means 100 such as, for example,the substrate 1, the first electrode 2, the second electrode 3 and theencapsulation 6 are embodied in accordance with one of the otherexemplary embodiments of luminous means 100.

FIG. 46 shows the luminous means 100 illustrated in conjunction withFIG. 45, in a schematic perspective diagram. The luminous means isconnected to a controller 11 suitable for setting the color of the lightgenerated by the luminous means 100. For this purpose, the controller100 preferably comprises a pulse width modulation circuit 12. Dependingon the electric field strength established upon energization of theluminous means 100 between the first electrode 2 and the secondelectrode 3 in the layer stack 4, it is possible to control therecombination of the charge carriers in the organic layer stack 4 insuch a way that the recombination predominantly takes place in aspecific, predeterminable layer provided for generating light. That isto say that in this way it is possible for example to effect a settingthat the recombination takes place principally in the layer 404 providedfor generating light. In this way, predominantly green light is thengenerated by the luminous means 100.

In this case, the field strength in the organic layer stack 4 can be setby the pulse width modulation circuit 12 of the controller 11. Theelectric field strength can be regulated for example by means of thepulse duration and the pulse height of the pulse-width-modulated signal.

As illustrated schematically in FIG. 47, the color in the CIE standardchromaticity diagram of the light generated by the luminous means 100 isdependent on whether the pulse width modulation circuit 12 generates apulse-width-modulated signal having a short pulse duration 20 or theluminous means 100 is energized by means of a continuous current 1210.

In this case, the pulse height of the pulse-width-modulated signalessentially determines the brightness of the light generated by theluminous means 100. That is to say, in summary, that the color andbrightness of the light generated by the luminous means 100 can be setby means of the pulse width modulated circuit 12.

The controller 11 can additionally be connected to a photodetector 65.The photodetector 65 is suitable for example, as described inconjunction with FIGS. 42 and 43, for detecting the color locus and/orthe brightness of the light generated by the luminous means 100. Thesetting of a specific color locus of the light generated by the luminousmeans 100 is then possible by regulation in a manner dependent on thevalues determined by the photodetector 65. That is to say that thecontroller 11 comprises a regulating circuit that can set a specificcolor locus of the light generated by the luminous means 100. In thiscase, the desired color locus can preferably be predetermined by a userfrom outside the luminous means.

In conjunction with FIG. 48A, one possibility for use of a multicoloredluminous means 100 such as has been described in conjunction with one ofthe previous exemplary embodiments is explained with reference to aschematic plan view.

In this exemplary embodiment, the luminous means 100 is applied to atextile garment 27. The luminous means 100 is fixed to the garment 27for example by means of a hook-and-loop fastening 34 arranged at thesecond main surface 102 of the substrate of the luminous means; in thisrespect, also see FIG. 49.

As illustrated in a schematic illustration in FIG. 48B, the luminousmeans 100 is connected to a controller 11, which can comprise a pulsewidth modulation circuit, for example. The wearer of the garment 27 canset the brightness and color of the light generated by the luminousmeans 100 by means of the controller 11. Furthermore, it is possible forthe controller 11 to be provided for setting the brightness and/or colorof the light generated by the luminous means 100 in a manner dependenton measured values determined by the sensor 67.

determining body temperature, pulse rate and/or skin resistance of thewearer of the garment 27.

An increased body temperature can be signaled for example by thegeneration of red light by the luminous means 100. A low temperature canbe signaled by the generation of blue light by the luminous means 100.

Overall, the garment 27 together with the luminous means 100 forms anillumination device in the case of which the garment 27 is provided asthe carrier. The power supply 10 of the luminous means 100 can beeffected for example by a battery integrated into the garment 27 or theluminous means 100.

The luminous means 100 is used for example as a flirtation indicator.The wearer of the garment 27 comprising the luminous means 100 can thensignal his/her willingness to flirt via the setting of the color of thelight generated by the luminous means 100.

Furthermore, a use of such a garment 27 comprising luminous means 100 inmedical or military applications is also conceivable. The luminous means100 enables a simple monitoring of specific body functions such as bodytemperature, skin resistance and pulse rate of the wearer of the garment27.

FIG. 49 shows, in a schematic sectional illustration, an exemplaryembodiment of a luminous means described here. The luminous means 100 isfor example a flexible and/or multicolored luminous means 100 such ashas been described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments explainedfurther above.

A hook-and-loop fastening 34 is applied to the second main surface 102of the substrate 1, remote from the first main surface of the substrate1. The hook-and-loop fastening 34 is for example adhesively bonded ontothe second main surface 102 of the substrate 1, remote from the firstmain surface of the substrate 1. With the hook-and-loop fastening 34,the luminous means 100 is mechanically connected to a textile material,for example a garment 27 or a curtain 25.

In conjunction with FIG. 50, a further possibility for use of amulticolored luminous means such as has been described for example inconnection with one of the above figures is explained with reference toa schematic perspective diagram. In this case, the luminous means 100 isfixed to an item 33 of furniture, for example on a table top. The fixingof the luminous means 100 can be effected by means of an adhesive layerfor example as explained in conjunction with FIG. 32. The color of thelight emitted by the luminous means 100 can be set depending on theuser's desire. Such an item 33 of furniture can be used not only for usedomestically but also for product presentations.

FIG. 51 shows, in a schematic perspective diagram, the use ofmulticolored luminous means 100 as room lighting, for example as ceilingor wall luminaires.

Depending on the user's desire, in this way the room can be illuminatedwith light of a specific color and/or a specific color temperature. Inthis case, it is possible, in particular, for the multicolored luminousmeans 100 to be a flexible, light-transmissive and/or reflectiveluminous means 100.

FIG. 52 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an exemplaryembodiment of a luminous means 100 described here.

Substrate 1, electrodes 2, 3, organic layer stack 4 and encapsulation 6of the luminous means 100 are embodied in accordance with any otherluminous means described here.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 52, electrical connection locations70 are formed at the second main surface 102 of the substrate 1 of theluminous means 100. In the exemplary embodiment described in conjunctionwith FIG. 42, the connection locations 70 are embodied as connectionlocations which project from the substrate. The connection locations 70are connected to the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 of thesubstrate for example by means of the electrical leads described furtherabove and serve for making electrical contact with the luminous means100 from outside the luminous means 100.

Furthermore, the connection locations 70 of the luminous means 100described in conjunction with FIG. 52 serve for mechanical fixing of theluminous means 100 to another luminous means 100 or on a carrier.

FIG. 53 shows a first possibility for the embodiment of the connectionlocations 70 in the exemplary embodiment of the luminous means 100 asdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 52. In this case, the connectionlocations 70 of the luminous means 100 are embodied as connection pins71. The connection pins are embodied in cylindrical fashion, forexample. The connection pins are pressed into corresponding connectionholes for the contact-connection and fixing of the luminous means 100.Preferably, in this case in addition to the electricalcontact-connection, a mechanical fixing of the luminous means 100 alsotakes place by means of an interference fit.

In conjunction with FIG. 54, a further possibility of the configurationof the connection locations 70 of the luminous means 100 in FIG. 52 isshown in a schematic perspective diagram. In this case, the connectionlocations 70 are embodied as connection plugs 72. The connection plug inFIG. 54 is embodied in the manner of a jack plug. The connection plug 72has a first electrically conductive region 76 a, which is electricallyconductively connected for example to the first electrode 2 of theluminous means 100. Furthermore, the connection plug 72 has a secondelectrically conductive region 76 b, which is electrically conductivelyconnected to the second electrode 3 of the luminous means 100.Electrically insulating regions 77 isolate the two electricallyconductive regions 76 a, 76 b from one another.

In conjunction with FIG. 55, a further possibility of configuration forthe connection locations 70 of the luminous means 100 as illustrated inFIG. 52 is shown in a schematic plan view. In this case, the connectionlocation 70 is embodied as a connection plug 72, wherein theelectrically conductive regions 76 a, 76 b are arranged laterallyalongside one another. In this case, the conductive regions 76 a, 76 bare embodied in cylindrical fashion.

An exemplary embodiment of a luminous means 100 described here isexplained in greater detail with reference to the schematic perspectivediagram in FIG. 56.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 52, in this exemplaryembodiment the connection locations 70 are arranged at the side surfaces105 of the substrate 1 of the luminous means 100. In this case, theconnection locations 70 can be embodied as explained in conjunction withFIGS. 53, 54 and 55. That is to say that the connection locations areembodied as connection pins or connection plugs.

The arrangement of the connection locations 70 at the side surfaces 105of the luminous means as shown in FIG. 56 enables, in a particularlysimple manner, the connection and electrical contact-connection of aplurality of luminous means 100 embodied in the same way to form anillumination device having an extended luminous surface. In this case,the luminous surface of the illumination device is composed of thelight-emitting front sides of the luminous means of the illuminationdevice.

A further exemplary embodiment of a luminous means 100 is described inconjunction with the schematic perspective diagram in FIG. 57. In thisexemplary embodiment, the connection locations 70 are formed at thesecond main surface 102 of the substrate 1 of the luminous means 100. Inthis case, the connection locations 70 are formed by cutouts orperforations in the substrate 1.

FIG. 58 shows, in a schematic plan view, a first possibility for theconfiguration of the connection locations 70 of the luminous means 100in FIG. 57. In this case, the connection location 70 is embodied as anelectrically conductive cutout 73 or contact hole. By pressing in aconnection pin as shown in FIG. 53, for example, the luminous means 100can be electrically contact-connected and mechanically fixed via theelectrically conductive cutout.

The schematic plan view in FIG. 59 shows a further exemplary embodimentfor the connection locations 70 of the luminous means 100 described inconjunction with FIG. 57. In this case, the connection locations 70 areembodied as connection sockets 74. Each connection socket 74 has twoelectrically conductive regions 76 a, 76 b which are connected to arespective electrode 2, 3 of the luminous means 100. By way of example,such a connection socket 74 can be electrically contact-connected bymeans of a connection plug 72 as shown in FIG. 54.

FIG. 60 shows, in a schematic plan view, a further embodiment of theconnection locations 70 of the luminous means 100 in FIG. 57. In thiscase, the electrically conductive regions 76 a, 76 b are embodied aselectrically conductive—for example metallic—coatings of a connectionsocket which are arranged in the substrate 1 of the luminous means 100.In this case, the electrically conductive regions 76 a and 76 b arearranged laterally alongside one another. By way of example, such aconnection socket 74 can be electrically contact-connected by means of aconnection plug 72 as shown in FIG. 55.

The schematic perspective diagram in FIG. 61 shows a further exemplaryembodiment of a luminous means 100 described here. In contrast to theluminous means described in conjunction with FIG. 57, the connectionlocations are embodied as cutouts in the side surfaces 105 of thesubstrate 1 of the luminous means 100. In this case, the concreteconfiguration of the connection locations 70 can be effected inaccordance with the connection locations 70 described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 58, 59 and 60.

FIG. 62A shows, in a schematic perspective diagram, a further exemplaryembodiment of a luminous means 100 described here. In this exemplaryembodiment, the electrical contact-connection and the mechanical fixingof the luminous means are realized by mutually separate elements. Themechanical fixing of the luminous means is effected by means ofmechanical connectors 78. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 62A, themechanical connectors are arranged at the second main surface 102 of thesubstrate 1 of the luminous means 100. The mechanical connectors 78 areembodied as clips which engage into corresponding cutouts in order tofix the luminous means 100.

FIG. 62B shows, in a schematic perspective illustration, a pinconnection 75 in an excerpt enlargement.

For the electrical contact-connection of the luminous means, theluminous means 100 has a pin connection 75, which is likewise arrangedat the second main surface 102 of the substrate 1. The pin connection 75comprises a plurality of pins 75 a. At least one of the pins 75 a makescontact with the first electrode 2, and at least one second pin 75 bmakes contact with the second electrode 3. Further pins 75 c can beprovided for example for making contact with a controller 11 integratedinto the luminous means 100.

In conjunction with FIG. 63A, a further exemplary embodiment of aluminous means 100 described here is elucidated in a schematic planview. In this exemplary embodiment, too, the mechanical connectors 78are arranged separately with respect to the electrical connectionlocations 70 of the luminous means 100. Both the mechanical connectors78 and the electrical connection locations 70 are arranged at the sidesurfaces 105 of the substrate 1 of the luminous means 100. The excerptenlargement in FIG. 63B shows a connection location 70. The connectionlocation has for example an electrically conductive cutout 73—forexample a contact hole—and also a connection pin 71 such as had beenexplained in greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 58 and 53,respectively.

FIG. 64 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of anillumination device 1000 described here. The illumination device 1000comprises at least two luminous means 100. The luminous means 100 haveconnection locations which are arranged at the side surfaces 105 of thesubstrate 1 and which are embodied alternately as electricallyconductive cutouts 73 and contact pins 71. The contact pins 71 of afirst luminous means engage into corresponding electrically conductivecutouts 73 of a second luminous means. The connection of contact pins 71and electrically conductive cutouts 73 produces both an electrical and amechanical connection between the luminous means 100 of the illuminationdevice 1000.

The mechanical connection between two respective luminous means 100 isimparted by an interference fit, for example. For this purpose, thediameter of each contact pin 71 is chosen to be equal to or greater thanor equal to the diameter of each electrically conductive cutout 73. Bypress-fitting the contact pin 71 into the corresponding electricallyconductive cutout 73, a mechanical connection is imparted which can bereleased again only by a large mechanical force being applied.

As an alternative, the connection locations can be embodied as contactplugs—such as have been described in conjunction with FIGS. 54 and55—and as corresponding connection sockets—such as have been describedin conjunction with FIGS. 59 and 60. This enables an electrical andmechanical connection of the luminous means 100. In this case, themechanical connection of the luminous means 100 can be released by arelatively low mechanical force being applied. This permits aparticularly simple replacement of a defective luminous means 100 fromthe illumination device 1000.

In conjunction with FIGS. 66 and 65, a further exemplary embodiment ofthe illumination device 1000 is described with reference to schematicperspective diagrams. In this exemplary embodiment, the luminous means100 are applied to a carrier embodied as a carrier grid 81. The carriergrid 81 has connection locations 82 embodied as contact holes, forexample, such as have been described in greater detail in conjunctionwith FIG. 58. As an alternative, the contact locations 82 can beembodied as connection sockets such as have been explained in greaterdetail in conjunction with FIGS. 59 and 60.

Contact pins 71 or contact plugs 72 such as have been described inconjunction with FIGS. 53, 54 and 55 form the connection locations 70 ofthe luminous means 100. The connection locations 70 engage intocorresponding connection locations 82 of the carrier grid 81.Preferably, a multiplicity of luminous means 100 are electricallycontact-connected and mechanically fixed on the carrier grid 81. Theillumination device 1000 is supplied with the operating current requiredfor operation of the luminous means 100 by a power supply 10.

A further exemplary embodiment of an illumination device 1000 describedhere is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 69 and 65. In this exemplaryembodiment, the illumination device 1000 has a carrier plate 80comprising a multiplicity of connection locations 82. Correspondingconnection locations 70 of the luminous means 100 engage into theconnection locations 82 of the carrier plate 80. For the case where theconnection locations 70 of the luminous means are embodied as connectionpins 71 or connection plugs 72, the connection locations 82 of thecarrier plate are embodied as electrically conductive cutouts 73 orconnection sockets 74. For the case where the connection locations 70 ofthe luminous means 100 are embodied as electrically conductive cutouts73 or connection sockets 74, the connection locations 82 of the carrierplate 80 are embodied as connection pins 71 or connection plugs 72.

The illumination device 1000 such as has been described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 67 and 65 is energized by a power supply 10.

In conjunction with FIG. 68, a further exemplary embodiment of anillumination device 1000 described here is elucidated in a schematicperspective illustration. The illumination device 1000 has a carrierembodied in the form of a cable or rod system. The cable or rod systemcomprises at least two cables or rods 83 which are composed of anelectrically conductive material and which run substantially parallel toone another. The luminous means 100 of the illumination device 1000 areenergized via the cables or rods 83.

For the mechanical fixing and electrical contact-connection at thecables or rods 83, the luminous means 100 has two connection locationsembodied as connection rails 84, which are arranged at mutually oppositeside surfaces 105 of the substrate 1 of the luminous means 100.

The connection rails 84 are embodied in the manner of cut-opencylinders. The connection rails 84 extend over the entire length of theside surface 105 of the substrate 1 to which they are fixed.

The connection rails 84 engage into the cables or rods 83 of the carrierof the illumination device 1000 preferably so loosely that the luminousmeans 100 of the illumination device 1000 can be displaced along thecables or the rods 83 by application of a relatively low mechanicalforce. A particularly simple positioning of the luminous means 100 alongthe cables or rods 83 is possible in this way. The luminous means 100can even be displaced along the cables or rods 83 during operation ofthe illumination device 1000. Overall, this permits an illuminationdevice 1000 which can be used particularly flexibly.

In conjunction with FIG. 69, an exemplary embodiment for theinterconnection of luminous means 100 of an illumination device 1000described here is explained with reference to a schematic circuitdiagram. In this exemplary embodiment, the luminous means 100 areconnected in parallel with one another. The luminous means 100 aresupplied with operating voltage for example by a voltage source 10. Inthis case, it is possible for the luminous means 100 each to comprise anintegrated controller 11.

In conjunction with FIG. 70, a further exemplary embodiment of anillumination device 1000 described here is explained with reference to aschematic circuit diagram. In this case, the luminous means 100 of theillumination device 1000 are connected in series with one another. Inthis case, the luminous means 100 are supplied with the necessaryoperating current by a current source 10. In this case, it is possiblefor the current source 10 to be suitable for the self-identification ofthe number of luminous means 100 of the illumination device 1000. Theluminous means 100 can furthermore comprise an integrated controller 11such as has been described further above.

The identification of the luminous means 100 can be effected for exampleby a measurement of the current intensity or voltage. In this case, thepossible failure of one or a plurality of luminous means 100 can also bedetected during operation.

A further exemplary embodiment of an illumination device 1000 describedhere is explained in conjunction with FIG. 71. In this case, theluminous means 100 are equipped with a controller 11 such as has beendescribed further above. A further controller 11 a of the illuminationdevice 1000 supplies the luminous means 100 with the required operatingcurrent and also control signals for the controllers 11 of the luminousmeans 100.

In conjunction with FIG. 72, a further exemplary embodiment of anillumination device 1000 described here is explained with reference to aschematic perspective illustration. The illumination device 1000 has amultiplicity of luminous means 100 which are either directly connectedto one another by means of the connection and connecting techniquesdescribed above or which are applied to a carrier in the mannerdescribed above and are electrically connected thereto.

An optical element 60 is disposed downstream of the luminous means 100at their light-emitting front side, said optical element being formed bya diffuser plate, for example. The optical element can be formed forexample by a light-transmissive plate—for example a glass plate—intowhich light-scattering particles are introduced. As an alternative, itis possible for the surface of the radiation-transmissive plate to beroughened, such that a diffuse scattering of the light passing throughtakes place on account of light refraction in the course of passingthrough the plate. The light from the luminous means 100 is scattered bythe diffuser plate in such a way that the individual luminous means areno longer separately perceptible by the observer. A large-areaillumination device 1000 having a particularly large, homogeneousluminous surface is realized in this way. In this case, the luminoussurface of the illumination device is composed of the light-emittingfront sides of the luminous means of the illumination device.

In conjunction with FIG. 73, a further exemplary embodiment of anillumination device 1000 is illustrated with reference to a schematicperspective diagram. The illumination device 1000 can be used forexample as a sealing luminaire. The illumination device 1000 comprises aplurality of luminous means 100, which either are electrically andmechanically connected to one another by connection locations at theside surfaces 105 of the substrates 1 of the luminous means 100 asdescribed above or which are fixed and electrically contact-connected bymeans of rods or cables 83.

A further exemplary embodiment of an illumination device 1000 isdescribed in conjunction with the schematic perspective illustration inFIG. 74. The illumination device 1000 comprises a base in which thepower supply 10 and also a driving apparatus 11 are integrated. Theluminous means 100 of the illumination device 1000 are mechanicallyfixed and electrically contact-connected by means of rods 83. Theluminous means described in conjunction with the exemplary embodimentsabove can once again be used as luminous means 100.

The illumination device 1000 described in conjunction with FIG. 74 isparticularly well suited as a standard or table lamp.

In conjunction with FIG. 75, a display apparatus 1010 is explained ingreater detail with reference to a schematic perspective illustration.The display apparatus 1010 comprises an illumination device 1000 asbacklighting for an imaging element 90. The imaging element 90 is an LCDpanel, for example. The LCD panel is backlit directly by theillumination device 1000. That is to say that the imaging element 90 isdisposed downstream of the illumination device 1000 in such a way that alarge part of the light generated by the illumination device 1000 duringoperation impinges on the imaging element 90 and backlights the latter.

The illumination device 1000 used here as a backlighting apparatus isembodied for example in accordance with one of the other exemplaryembodiments described here. In this case, the illumination devicecomprises at least two luminous means 100 as described here.

For homogenizing the light provided for backlighting, it is furthermorepossible for an optical element 60 to be arranged between the imagingelement 90 and the light-emitting front side of the luminous means 100of the illumination device 1000, said optical element then preferablybeing embodied as a diffuser plate. The optical element can be formedfor example by a light-transmissive plate—for example a glass plate—intowhich light-scattering particles are introduced. As an alternative, itis possible for the surface of the radiation-transmissive plate to beroughened, such that a diffuse scattering of the light passing throughtakes place on account of light refraction in the course of passingthrough the plate. The light from the luminous means 100 of theillumination device is scattered by the diffuser plate in such a waythat the individual luminous means are no longer imaged separately ontothe imaging element 90. A large-area illumination device 1000 having aparticularly large, homogeneous luminous surface for backlighting theimaging element 90 is realized in this way.

In conjunction with FIG. 76, an exemplary embodiment of a coarse-graineddisplay 95 is explained in greater detail with reference to a schematicplan view. The coarse-grained display is embodied as an illuminationdevice comprising a carrier plate 80, to which a plurality of luminousmeans 100 are applied. The luminous means 100 are arranged for examplein the manner of a seven-segment display. By energizing specificluminous means 100, a coarse-grained display 95 suitable forrepresenting numerals is realized in this way.

FIG. 77 shows a bathroom with luminous means 100 embodied as tiles. Theluminous means 100 are embodied for example in accordance with one ofthe exemplary embodiments described further above. They are adhesivelybonded by the second main surface 102 of the substrate 1 ontoconventional sanitary tiles, by way of example. A power supply of theseluminous means can be effected by means of induction, for example. Inthis case, it is possible to dispense with electrical conductor tracksfor the connection of the luminous means 100. Therefore, these luminousmeans are particularly well suited to use in the sanitary sector sincethe risk of a short circuit on account of moisture is reduced.

A luminous means which is energized by means of induction is disclosedfor example in the document DE 102006025115, the disclosure content ofwhich with regard to the construction of such a luminous means is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIG. 78 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice 1000 comprising a luminous means 100 and a second light source370 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. In the present case,the second light source 370 used is an incandescent lamp that isintroduced into a mount of a carrier 371. A halogen lamp, for example,could also be used instead of an incandescent lamp as the second lightsource 370. The incandescent lamp is embodied in such a way that itemits white light having a color locus in the warm white region of theCIE standard chromaticity diagram during operation. By contrast, theluminous means is embodied in such a way that it emits light from thecold white region of the CIE standard chromaticity diagram duringoperation. In the present case, the luminous means 100 is embodied suchthat it is flexible and transmissive to visible light. The luminousmeans 100 is arranged as a cylindrical lampshade around the incandescentlamp in such a way that a large part of the light emitted by the secondlight source passes through the luminous means. In this way,mixed-colored light comprising light from the luminous means 100 andlight from the second light source 370 is emitted during operation ofthe illumination device.

Furthermore, the luminous means 100 and the second light source 370 areembodied in dimmable fashion, such that the proportion of the light fromthe incandescent lamp and the proportion of the light from the luminousmeans 100 in the mixed-colored light can be varied. Depending on theproportion of the light from the incandescent lamp and of the light fromthe luminous means, the color locus can be regulated from cold white towarm white by means of a regulator 372 in the mount of the illuminationdevice. The illumination device in accordance with FIG. 78 is thereforea color-variable illumination device.

FIG. 79 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a furtherexemplary embodiment of an illumination device 1000 comprising aluminous means 100 and a second light source 370. The illuminationdevice is provided for being fixed to the wall. The second light source370 is a lava lamp. The lava lamp comprises wax introduced into acarrier liquid. During operation of the lava lamp, wax and carrierliquid are heated from one side, generally from below, such that thecarrier liquid circulates in the lamp on account of convection.Furthermore, the wax forms decorative shapes within the carrier liquidon account of the heating. The carrier liquid generally has a differentcolor than the wax, such that the lava lamp emits mixed-colored lightcomprising components of the color of the wax and components of thecolor of the carrier liquid.

In the present case, the lava lamp is embodied in substantiallycylindrical fashion and is fixed to the wall. The luminous means 100 isembodied in flexible fashion and is arranged as a half cylinder jacketaround the lava lamp in such a way that the light which is emitted bythe lava lamp and which does not radiate to the wall essentially passesthrough the luminous means. The luminous means 100 furthermorepreferably emits light of a color which is not comprised by the lightfrom the lava lamp. The luminous means can furthermore be embodied indimmable fashion, for example, such that the hue of the light which isemitted by the illumination device can be altered in color by dimmingthe luminous means. In this way, a color-variable illumination device isobtained which can bring about particularly impressive color effects.Furthermore, it is possible for the lava lamp also to be dimmable.

FIG. 80A shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment. FIG. 80B showsa sectional illustration of the illumination device in FIG. 80A.

The illumination device in accordance with FIGS. 80A and 80B is likewisea color-variable illumination device 1000. The latter comprises aplurality of LEDs 380, mounted onto a carrier 381, as further, secondlight sources 370. The LEDs 380 emit light of a first color. Arrangedabove the LEDs is a milky glass pane as optical element 60, throughwhich the light from the LEDs passes during the operation of theillumination device in such a way that the milky glass pane emitscolored scattered light of the first color from its front side.Preferably, the milky glass pane scatters the light from the LEDs insuch a way that an observer positioned in front of the glass paneperceives a uniform luminous surface.

The milky glass pane furthermore serves as a substrate 1 for a luminousmeans 100 which emits light of a further, second color, which isdifferent from the first color, and is embodied as transmissive tovisible light. The milky glass pane has an active region, to which isapplied a first electrode, which is transmissive to visible light.

The organic layer stack 4, which is likewise embodied as transmissive tovisible light, is applied to the first electrode 2. The organic layerstack 4 emits light of a second color, which is different from the firstcolor. A second electrode 3, which is likewise transmissive to visiblelight, is applied on the organic layer stack 4. First and secondelectrodes 2, 3, which are transmissive to visible light, have beendescribed for example with reference to FIG. 2A. A glass pane asencapsulation 6 is applied to the second electrode 3, for example byadhesive bonding. The glass pane serving as encapsulation 6 is embodiedin clear fashion, in contrast to the glass pane serving as substrate 1.

An illumination device in accordance with FIGS. 80A and 80B can be usedfor example as floor lighting in bars or of dance floors. Furthermore,such color-variable illumination devices embodied as color-variablelight tiles can also be used for medical purposes in light therapy.

FIG. 81 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an illumination device1000, in the case of which at least one further light source is usedalongside a luminous means 100. In the present case, the luminous means100 is embodied in rigid and planar fashion. Two cold cathode lamps arearranged as second light sources 370 centrally within the front side ofthe luminous means. Such an element can be used as a ceiling element,for example.

FIG. 82 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an illumination device1000 comprising a luminous means and a second light source. In thepresent case, the luminous means 100 is embodied in rigid fashion likethe luminous means in accordance with FIG. 81. An LED module 390 isarranged centrally in the front side of the luminous means, said LEDmodule comprising a carrier element, on which four light-emitting diodes380 are arranged. Advantageously, in the case of the illumination device1000, point light sources—namely the LEDs of the LED module 390—arecombined with a planar light source—the luminous means 100. In this way,the user of the illumination device 1000 can choose between differentoperating states and combine them with one another.

FIG. 83 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an illuminationdevice 1000 comprising a luminous means 100 and a second luminoussource. In the present case, the luminous means 100 is embodied astransmissive to visible light and emits light of a first color. Anorganic light-emitting diode, which emits light of a second color, isused as the second light source 370. The organic light-emitting diodehas a radiation-emitting front side, on which the luminous means isarranged. During the operation of the illumination device, the lightfrom the organic light-emitting diode penetrates through the luminousmeans 100, such that the illumination device 1000 emits mixed-colorlight comprising light from the luminous means and light from the secondlight source. In the present case, the luminous means 100 and theorganic light-emitting diode are controlled by a common controller 11.

FIGS. 84A and 84B show an exemplary embodiment of a storage elementAM100 and FIG. 84C shows an exemplary embodiment of storage furnitureAM1000 comprising the storage element AM100. In this case, FIGS. 84A and84B show two schematic sectional illustrations of the storage elementAM100. In this case, the illustration in FIG. 84A is a sectionalillustration of the storage element AM100 along the sectional plane A2in FIG. 84B, as seen from the side having the layer AM5, while theillustration in FIG. 84B is a sectional illustration of the storageelement AM100 along the sectional plane Al in FIG. 84A. FIG. 84C shows aschematic sectional illustration of the storage furniture AM1000,wherein the sectional plane shown in the illustration corresponds tothat sectional plane in FIG. 84B. For the sake of a better overview, thearrangement of the storage element AM100 in the storage furniture AM1000is identified by the dashed region in FIG. 84C. The followingdescription relates equally to all the FIGS. 84A to 84C.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, the storage elementAM100 of the storage furniture AM1000 can have a substrate AM1, on whicha radiation-emitting component embodied as an organic light-emittingdiode (OLED) AM11 is applied. The radiation-emitting component can alsobe, in particular, a luminous means according to at least one of theexemplary embodiments described here.

On the side lying opposite the OLED AM11, the substrate has a storagesurface AM10. For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if thesubstrate AM1 has a sufficient thickness and strength, such that thestorage element AM100 has a sufficient stability and strength whenarticles are arranged on the storage surface AM10. For this purpose, itmay additionally be advantageous if the substrate AM1 furthermorecomprises supporting structures that can be used to achieve an increasein the stability and strength.

The OLED AM11 has a first electrode AM3 on the substrate AM1. A layersequence AM2 comprising at least one organic layer can be formed on thefirst electrode AM3, wherein the layer sequence AM2 has an active regionsuitable for emitting electromagnetic radiation by means ofelectroluminescence during operation. A second electrode AM4 is appliedabove the layer sequence AM2. By way of example, in this case the firstelectrode AM3 can be embodied as an anode and the second electrode AM4as a cathode. A further layer AM5 can be applied above the secondelectrode, which further layer can serve as encapsulation of the OLEDAM11, for example. In particular, the substrate AM1 and the layer AM5can ensure protection of the OLED AM11 against damaging influences fromoutside such as, for instance, moisture or oxygen or mechanicalimpairments. As an alternative, in the case of this and also in the caseof the following exemplary embodiments, the radiation-emitting componentcan be embodied as an inorganic electroluminescent film.

The substrate AM1 and the first electrode AM3 can preferably be embodiedin transparent fashion, such that the electromagnetic radiationgenerated by the active region of the layer sequence AM2 can be emittedvia the storage surface AM10. For this purpose, the substrate AM1 canpreferably comprise glass or be composed of glass. As an alternative orin addition, the substrate AM10 can comprise a transparent plastic or becomposed of transparent plastic or comprise or be a layer sequence or alaminate composed of glass and/or transparent plastic layers. Thetransparency of the substrate AM1 and of the first electrode AM3 enablesarticles placed on the storage surface AM10 to be illuminated frombelow, that is to say from the storage surface AM10.

As an alternative or in addition, the second electrode AM4 and the layerAM5 can also be embodied in transparent fashion, such that that side ofthe layer AM5 which is remote from the OLED AM11 can be embodied as anexit surface for the electromagnetic radiation. As a result, it can bepossible, for example, for articles which are arranged below the storageelement AM100 to be illuminated from above, for example articles whichare situated on a further storage element arranged below this storageelement AM100. In this case, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, thefirst electrode AM3 and the second electrode AM4 can be embodied inplanar fashion, such that a large-area emission of the electromagneticradiation can be made possible. For this purpose, the layer AM5 canpreferably comprise glass and/or transparent plastic or be composed ofglass or transparent plastic and can furthermore also be embodied as alaminate or layer sequence comprising glass and/or transparent plasticlayers.

Furthermore, the storage element AM100 has electrical contacts AM31,AM41, which can be electrically conductively connected respectively tothe first and second electrodes AM3, AM4 respectively by means ofelectrical lines AM32, AM42. Furthermore, the regions AM9 can beembodied as holding elements in the form of bearing surfaces which, asshown here, comprise the electrical contacts AM31, AM41.

The storage furniture AM1000 furthermore has holding apparatuses AM7,which can have holding parts AM6 embodied as backing surfaces. Theholding parts AM6, together with the holding elements AM9 of the storageelement AM100, said holding elements being embodied as bearing surfaces,for example, can enable a mountability of the storage element AM100 atthe holding apparatus AM7. In this case, the holding apparatus AM7 canbe embodied for example as cupboard or shelving walls, supporting posts,or struts, or as parts thereof, which have suitable holding parts AM6.In particular, the holding parts AM6 can comprise electrical leadcontacts AM8, which are electrically conductively connected to theelectrical contacts AM31, AM41 of the storage element AM100. Theelectrically conductive connection between the electrical contacts AM31,AM41 and the electrical lead contacts AM8 can be made possible forexample by the mechanical contact of the electrical contacts AM31,AM41—embodied as plane surfaces in each case—and electrical leadcontacts AM8. As an alternative or in addition, the electrical contactsAM31, AM41 and/or the electrical lead contacts AM8 can be embodied forexample as spring elements or plug connections in order to enable animproved electrically conductive connection. The storage element AM10and the holding apparatuses AM7 can additionally have still furtherholding elements and holding parts, respectively, such as, for instance,screw connections or clamps (not shown), for example, in order to ensurean increased stability of the storage furniture AM1000.

By means of the electrical lead contacts AM8 integrated into the holdingparts AM6, the first electrical contacts AM31, AM41 can be connected toa current and/or voltage supply. Further electronic or electrotechnicalelements for the start-up and control of the OLED AM11 can be integratedin the holding apparatuses 7, for example.

By means of the integration of the OLED AM11 into the storage elementAM100 by means of the arrangement of the OLED AM11 between the substrateAM11, which simultaneously has the storage surface AM10, and the layerAM5, it is thus possible to realize storage furniture AM1000 comprisinga storage element AM100 which, in conjunction with a compact design,enables a large-area emission surface via the storage surface AM10and/or via that side of the layer AM5 which lies opposite the OLED.

As an alternative or in addition, the OLED AM11 can comprise furtherlayers such as, for instance, a suitable carrier substrate. As a result,it can be possible, for example, that the OLED AM11 with the first andsecond electrodes AM3, AM4 and the layer sequence AM2 is applied on thecarrier substrate and can be arranged together with the carriersubstrate on the substrate AM1.

As an alternative, the layer AM5 can also comprise a carrier substrate,to which the OLED is applied.

The exemplary embodiment of a storage element AM200 as shown in FIG. 85represents a modification of the exemplary embodiment in accordance withthe preceding figures and shows an organic light-emitting component inthe storage element AM200 comprising a first electrode AM3 embodied inplanar fashion with two electrical contacts AM311, AM312, which areelectrically conductively connected to the first electrode AM3 by meansof electrical lines AM321, AM322. Furthermore, the second electrode isstructured as parallel strips AM401, AM402 arranged alternately abovethe active layer sequence AM2, wherein the parallel strips AM401 areelectrically conductively connected to the electrical contact AM411 bymeans of the electrical line AM421 and the parallel strips AM402 areconnected to the electrical contact AM412 by means of the electricalline AM422. The second electrode can thus have partial regions AM401 andAM402 with which contact can be made independently of one another. Inparticular, it can thereby be made possible that the regions of theactive region of the layer sequence AM2 of the OLED AM11 which arerespectively arranged between the partial regions AM401, AM402 of thesecond electrode and of the first electrode AM3 can emit electromagneticradiation independently of one another. In this case, by way of example,the active region of the OLED AM11 can also be structured, such thatthat partial region of the OLED AM11 which is arranged between thepartial region AM401 of the second electrode and the first electrode AM3can emit an electromagnetic radiation having a first spectrum and thatpartial region of the OLED which is arranged between the partial regionAM402 of the second electrode AM4 and the first electrode AM3 can emitan electromagnetic radiation having a second spectrum, wherein the firstand the second spectrum can be different. By applying a current and/or avoltage between at least one of the electrical contacts AM311, AM312 andin each case one of the electrical contacts AM411 and AM412 or both,three different operating states with different luminous impressions canthus be made possible for an observer. By way of example, the firstspectrum can have one or a plurality of wavelengths in the blue spectralrange and the second spectrum can have one or a plurality of wavelengthsin the yellow or orange spectral range, such that by means of the threeoperating states for example a blue, a yellow or orange and also, uponsuperimposition of the blue with the yellow or orange luminousimpression, a white-colored luminous impression can be made possible foran observer.

As an alternative, the first electrode can also be structured while thesecond electrode can be embodied in planar fashion, or both electrodesare shaped as large-area electrode surfaces. In particular, an electrodecan have any desired and suitable structuring, for example also in theform of pictograms, in order to enable not only the luminous impressionbut also a pictorial impression for an observer.

Particularly preferably, the storage element AM200 has holding elements(not shown) comprising the electrical contacts AM311, AM312, AM411,AM412. Such holding elements can be for example bearing surfaces,openings, holes and parts of screw, plug, or clamping connections. Asuitable holding apparatus can then have corresponding holding partswhich, in particular, can also advantageously have electrical leadcontacts.

The exemplary embodiment of a storage element AM300 as shown in FIG. 86shows as further modification with respect to the preceding exemplaryembodiments for a storage element not only the second electrodestructured into partial regions AM401, AM402 comprising parallel stripsbut also the first electrode structured into partial regions AM301,AM302 comprising parallel strips. In this case, the partial regionsAM301, AM302 can respectively be electrically conductively connected toelectrical contacts AM311, AM312 by means of electrical lines AM321,AM322. In this case, the first electrode can have parallel strips AM301,AM302, which are for example perpendicular to the parallel strips AM401,AM402 of the second electrode. The OLED can thus have for examplepixel-like partial regions which are given by parallel-connectedcrossover points of the electrode partial regions AM301, AM302 andAM401, AM402. In particular, in the case of this exemplary embodiment,the layer sequence AM2 or at least the active region of the layersequence AM2 of the OLED can be structured such that, by applying acurrent and/or a voltage between one or both partial regions AM301,AM302 of the first electrode and one or both partial regions AM401,AM402 of the second electrode, by means of different emission spectraand the mixed spectra thereof, different operating states with differentluminous impressions can be realized for an observer. By way of example,by applying a voltage and/or a current respectively between theelectrical contacts AM311 and AM411, AM312 and AM411, AM311 and AM412and AM312 and AM412, a checkered luminous impression can respectively bemade possible for an observer, whereas by applying a voltage and/orcurrent between the electrical contacts AM311 and AM312 and one of theelectrical contacts AM411 and AM412 and between one of the electricalcontacts AM311 or AM312 and the electrical contacts AM411 and AM412, anobserver can be given in each case a luminous impression of pixel-likepartial regions arranged in a line-like manner. By applying a voltageand/or a current between all the contacts of the first and secondelectrodes, a planar luminous impression can be made possible for anobserver.

Furthermore, by way of example, a diffuser plate can also be disposeddownstream of the organic radiation-emitting component in the beam pathof the emitted electromagnetic radiation, such that a more homogeneousand more planar luminous impression of the different operating statesdescribed above can be made possible for an observer.

In particular the form, the size and the distance between the structuredpartial regions of the first and second electrodes in each case can bechosen in accordance with the desired luminous impression and is shownpurely by way of example in the exemplary embodiments above.

The exemplary embodiment of a storage element AM400 in accordance withFIG. 87 shows for example a plan view of the storage element comprisingan organic radiation-emitting component comprising first electrodesAM301, AM302 and second electrodes AM401, AM402 and a layer sequence AM2having an active region, which are arranged only in edge regions of thesubstrate AM1. As a result, by way of example, articles which arearranged on the storage surface AM10 and/or below the storage elementAM400 can be illuminated from the side. In particular, an emissionsurface for this purpose can additionally have optical structures bymeans of which the electromagnetic radiation can preferably be emittedinto the spatial region between the partial regions AM301, AM401 andAM302, AM402 of the first and second electrodes.

The exemplary embodiments of a structuring of the first and/or of thesecond electrode which are shown in the preceding figures, in particularthose in FIGS. 85 to 87, should be understood to be purely by way ofexample and non-limiting. In particular, the first and/or the secondelectrode can comprise more than two partial regions AM301, AM302 and/orAM401, AM402, respectively, and accordingly also more than twoelectrical contacts AM311, AM312 and/or AM411, AM412, respectively. Inparticular, the form and arrangement of the electrical contacts and/orof the holding elements can also deviate from the forms and arrangementsshown.

FIG. 88 shows an exemplary embodiment of storage furniture AM2000comprising storage elements AM101, AM102. In this case, for the sake ofan overview, the storage elements AM101, AM102 are only indicated by thedashed regions and can be embodied for example in accordance with one ofthe preceding exemplary embodiments.

The storage furniture AM2000 has four holding apparatuses AM7 embodiedas vertical posts or struts. Furthermore, in further exemplaryembodiments of the invention, the holding apparatuses AM7 can also beparts of furniture walls. The holding apparatuses AM7 can have holdingparts AM6 suitable for mounting the storage elements AM101, AM102 ontothe holding apparatuses AM7. In this regard, the storage elements AM101,AM102 can have holding elements suitable for this purpose (not shown inFIG. 88). Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the holding parts AM6comprise electrical lead contacts (not shown in FIG. 88) which enableelectrical contact to be made with the organic radiation-emittingcomponents of the storage elements AM101, AM102 by means of theelectrical contacts AM311, AM312, AM411, AM412 thereof (not shown inFIG. 88).

The exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 89A to 89E show, in aplan view, examples of the number and arrangement of electrical contactsand/or holding elements on storage elements AM101 and of electrical leadcontacts and/or holding parts in holding apparatuses AM7 for storagefurniture. In this case, the arrows identify the type of arrangement ofthe storage elements AM101 in the holding apparatuses AM7, which, forthe sake of clarity, are illustrated as spatially separated from oneanother. By way of example, the arrows can represent the fact that thestorage element is pushed into the relevant holding apparatus, in whichcase, if appropriate, a fixed mounting can then additionally beeffected. In this case, the reference symbols AM51 to AM55 can identifyboth electrical contacts, holding elements and also holding elementswhich comprise electrical contacts. Likewise, the reference symbolsAM711 to AM715 can identify both electrical leads, holding parts andalso holding parts which comprise electrical leads. Furthermore, sizes,distances, positions and number of the electrical contacts and/orholding elements AM51 to AM55 and of the electrical lead contacts and/orholding parts AM711 to AM715 are shown purely by way of example.

A holding apparatus AM7 can be for example one or a plurality offurniture walls, a frame, vertical or horizontal struts, wall-mountablestruts, wall-mountable holding frames, or parts thereof, which can besuitable for holding a storage element AM101 in such a way that thestorage surface of the storage element AM101 is substantially parallelto a floor on which the holding apparatus AM7 can be installed, orsubstantially perpendicular to a wall at which the holding apparatus canbe fitted or mounted.

By way of example, holding elements AM51, AM52 and/or holding partsAM711, AM712 can be embodied as rails or parts of a rail system, asshown in FIG. 89A. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 89B, by way of example,a further holding element AM53 can be embodied as a bearing surface anda further holding part AM713 can be embodied as a backing surface. Ifthe holding elements AM51, AM52, AM53 comprise electrical contacts andthe holding parts AM711, AM712, AM713 comprise electrical lead contacts,the exemplary embodiment shown can be suitable for example for a storageelement AM400 in accordance with FIG. 87. The further exemplaryembodiments in accordance with FIGS. 89C to 89E show furtherpossibilities comprising at least four holding elements/electricalcontacts and/or at least four holding parts/electrical lead contacts.

In particular, it is possible for some holding parts and/or holdingelements to have electrical contacts and/or electrical lead contacts,respectively, and for others not to have them.

The invention is not restricted by the description on the basis of theexemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses any new featureand also any combination of features, but in particular comprises anycombination of features in the patent claims, even if these features orthis combination itself is not explicitly specified in the patent claimsor exemplary embodiments.

Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodimentthereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutionsand changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and intheir operation, may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expresslyintended that all combinations of those elements and/or method stepswhich perform substantially the same function in substantially the sameway to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention.Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/ormethod steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosedform or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any otherdisclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a generalmatter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limitedonly as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for producing a luminous meanscomprising the following steps: providing a substrate having a firstmain surface and an active region, applying a first electrode to thefirst main surface of the substrate, applying an organic layer stackwithin the active region of the substrate on a side of the firstelectrode facing away from the first main surface of the substrate,applying a second electrode on a side of the organic layer stack facingaway from the first electrode, applying an encapsulation for the organiclayer stack against moisture and other atmospheric gases on a side ofthe second electrode facing away from the organic layer stack, whereinthe organic layer stack comprises at least one organic layer which issuitable for generating light, wherein the encapsulation comprises athin-film encapsulation which comprises a thin-film layer, and whereinthe thin-film layer is applied by means of an atomic layer deposition,and applying a protective lacquer layer on a side of thin-filmencapsulation facing away from the substrate, wherein the protectivelacquer layer comprises a plastic material.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the thin-film encapsulation comprises a plurality of alternatingthin-film layers, and wherein at least two of said thin-film layers aredifferent with regard to their material composition and are arranged inregular succession.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the thin-filmencapsulation comprises thin-film layers of a first kind and thin-filmlayers of a second kind, and wherein the material composition of thethin-film layers of the first kind is different from the materialcomposition of the thin-film layers of the second kind.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the thin-film layers of the first kind comprise siliconoxide and the thin-film layers of the second kind comprise siliconnitride.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the thin-film encapsulationcomprises a plurality of thin-film layers, wherein a first of saidplurality of thin-film layers comprises a pinhole, and wherein saidpinhole is filled with material of a second of said plurality ofthin-film layers.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the thin-filmencapsulation comprises a plurality of thin-film layers and at least oneinterlayer, and wherein the interlayer is arranged between two of saidplurality of thin-film layers.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein saidinterlayer is applied by vapour-deposition.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein an adhesion promoting layer is arranged between the thin-filmencapsulation and the second electrode, said adhesion promoting layercomprising at least one of the following materials: sulfur atom,nitrogen atom, sulfur compound, nitrogen compound, aluminium oxide. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the thin-film encapsulation covers partsof the substrate which are outside the active region.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the thin-film encapsulation covers a side face of theorganic layer stack.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the thin-filmencapsulation covers a side face of the first electrode and a side faceof the second electrode.
 12. A luminous means comprising: a substratehaving a first main surface and an active region, a first electrode onthe first main surface of the substrate, an organic layer stack withinthe active region of the substrate on a side of the first electrodefacing away from the first main surface of the substrate, a secondelectrode on a side of the organic layer stack facing away from thefirst electrode, an encapsulation for the organic layer stack againstmoisture and other atmospheric gases on a side of the second electrodefacing away from the organic layer stack, wherein the organic layerstack comprises at least one organic layer which is suitable forgenerating light, wherein the encapsulation comprises a thin-filmencapsulation which comprises a thin-film layer, and wherein thethin-film layer is formed by an atomic layer deposition, and aprotective lacquer layer on a side of thin-film encapsulation facingaway from the substrate, wherein the protective lacquer layer comprisesa plastic material.
 13. The luminous means of claim 12, wherein thethin-film encapsulation comprises thin-film layers of a first kind andthin-film layers of a second kind, and wherein the material compositionof the thin-film layers of the first kind is different from the materialcomposition of the thin-film layers of the second kind.
 14. The luminousmeans of claim 13, wherein the thin-film layers of the first kindcomprise silicon oxide and the thin-film layers of the second kindcomprise silicon nitride.
 15. The luminous means of claim 12, whereinthe thin-film encapsulation comprises a plurality of thin-film layers,wherein a first of said plurality of thin-film layers comprises apinhole, and wherein said pinhole is filled with material of a second ofsaid plurality of thin-film layers.
 16. The luminous means of claim 12,wherein an adhesion promoting layer is arranged between the thin-filmencapsulation and the second electrode, said adhesion promoting layercomprising at least one of the following materials: sulfur atom,nitrogen atom, sulfur compound, nitrogen compound, aluminium oxide. 17.The luminous means of claim 12, wherein the thin-film encapsulationcovers parts of the substrate which are outside the active region. 18.The luminous means of claim 12, wherein the thin-film encapsulationcovers a side face of the organic layer stack, a side face of the firstelectrode and a side face of the second electrode.
 19. A luminous meanscomprising: a substrate having a first main surface and an activeregion, a first electrode on the first main surface of the substrate, anorganic layer stack within the active region of the substrate on a sideof the first electrode facing away from the first main surface of thesubstrate, a second electrode on a side of the organic layer stackfacing away from the first electrode, an encapsulation for the organiclayer stack against moisture and other atmospheric gases on a side ofthe second electrode facing away from the organic layer stack, whereinthe organic layer stack comprises at least one organic layer which issuitable for generating light, wherein the encapsulation comprises athin-film encapsulation which comprises a thin-film layer, wherein thethin-film layer is formed by an atomic layer deposition, wherein thethin-film encapsulation comprises a plurality of thin-film layers,wherein a first of said plurality of thin-film layers comprises apinhole, wherein said pinhole is filled with material of a second ofsaid plurality of thin-film layers, and wherein the thin-filmencapsulation covers a side face of the organic layer stack, a side faceof the first electrode and a side face of the second electrode, and aprotective lacquer layer on a side of thin-film encapsulation facingaway from the substrate, wherein the protective lacquer layer comprisesa plastic material.